Volkanovski Eyes Oliveira; Yan Targets O'Malley After UFC 333 Defenses

Alexander Volkanovski defeated Movsar Evloev in two rounds to keep his featherweight title, setting the stage for a potential clash with Charles Oliveira. The UFC is positioning the two veterans for a bout in 2027 that could also involve the BMF belt. Volkanovski holds two of his three UFC losses in the lightweight division, where he has expressed reluctance to jump the line ahead of Justin Gaethje. A victory against Oliveira would solidify his status as a serious contender for the 155-pound championship.

Petr Yan retained his bantamweight crown by defeating Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision, concluding their trilogy. The next logical step for Yan is a rematch against Sean O'Malley, who holds a controversial victory over Yan from 2022. O'Malley has won two fights since his 2024 loss to Dvalishvili, including a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi. While Song Yadong presents a different tactical challenge with his explosive power, O'Malley remains the primary candidate for the next title defense.

Evloev faces a difficult path back to the top of the featherweight division after his first career loss. He is expected to serve as a gatekeeper for the next few fights, with Pat Sabatini identified as the most likely opponent. Sabatini holds a 9-2 record in the UFC. Steve Garcia, who lost to Diego Lopes in June, represents another viable option for Evloev's next outing.

Dvalishvili is expected to return to action quickly following his second consecutive defeat. A rematch against Umar Nurmagomedov is widely considered the most logical next step, given the competitive history between the two. Their previous fight in January 2025 featured a hand injury for Nurmagomedov and undisclosed camp injuries for Dvalishvili. Nurmagomedov aims to fight before Ramadan begins in February.

Aaron Pico is being matched with Jean Silva for a potential main event. This pairing pits two fighters with high potential but volatile finishes against each other. Diego Lopes is moving up to lightweight in December, clearing Silva's division. Pico has previously faced difficult opponents, including Patricio Pitbull, and this matchup tests his ability to handle elite competition.

Payton Talbott is the wildcard candidate for the bantamweight division. At 28, he has shown enough promise to earn a step up in competition. A loss would not be damaging to his long-term trajectory, while a win would instantly elevate him to title contender status. The UFC often rewards fighters with this type of rapid progression based on displayed skill.