Five Fights the UFC Needs to Make After UFC 333

UFC 333 delivered another legacy defining performance from Alexander Volkanovski, a successful title defense for Petr Yan and breakout wins for Lone’er Kavanagh and Aaron Pico. Alexander Volkov also kept himself in the heavyweight conversation with a decision victory over Rizvan Kuniev.

Now that the dust has settled, it's time to look at what's next.

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Justin Gaethje

Volkanovski continues to make history at 38 years old. After stopping undefeated contender Movsar Evloev, the Australian has another successful title defense under his belt and is running out of fresh challenges at featherweight. Another move up to lightweight could offer the kind of legacy fight worth considering, and Justin Gaethje would be a massive matchup.

Gaethje is one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, and a matchup between two veterans who have built their careers on toughness, pace and elite fight IQ would be fascinating. Volkanovski has spent years proving he can compete with bigger opponents, while Gaethje brings devastating power and relentless pressure.

It would be a major challenge for Volk, but after everything he's accomplished at 145 pounds, a superfight against another established star could be the perfect exclamation marks to end both of their legendary UFC careers.

Petr Yan vs. Sean O'Malley 2

Yan closed out his trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili by retaining his bantamweight title, once again proving he's one of the most complete fighters in the division. With the Merab rivalry seemingly settled, it's time for Yan to look toward a fresh championship chapter.

Sean O'Malley makes the most sense. Their first fight at UFC 280 ended in a controversial split decision in O'Malley's favor, and a rematch would give Yan the chance to settle the score while giving O'Malley another opportunity to capture the title. Both men have evolved since that 2022 meeting, and the stakes would be even higher with the championship on the line. There's unfinished business here, and it's a fight the UFC should revisit.

Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Tatsuro Taira

Kavanagh made another statement by stopping Ramazan Temirov in the first round, adding another impressive finish to his growing résumé. The flyweight prospect is quickly establishing himself as someone the division's established contenders need to take seriously.

Tatsuro Taira would be an ideal next opponent. The Japanese contender brings dangerous grappling and submission skills, giving Kavanagh a different challenge from the strikers he's faced recently. Kavanagh's speed and striking could make this a compelling matchup, while Taira would have the opportunity to derail the Englishman's rise. With both men looking to move closer to the title picture, this is a fresh matchup that makes sense for the division.

Alexander Volkov vs. Ciryl Gane 3

It's trilogy time. Volkov picked up another important win against Kuniev, keeping himself firmly in the heavyweight title conversation. A third meeting with Ciryl Gane would be a compelling way to determine which man deserves to move closer to another championship opportunity.

Gane won their first meeting in 2021, using his movement and technical striking to outpoint Volkov. Their second fight came at UFC 310 in December 2024, where Gane again got his hand raised in a closely contested decision. But a trilogy now would be more than a simple rematch. Both heavyweights have continued to evolve, and the stakes could be even higher with another title shot potentially within reach.

Volkov has become more measured and dangerous with his striking, while Gane remains one of the division's most athletic and technically gifted heavyweights. Their contrasting styles have already produced two competitive fights, and a third would give Volkov the chance to finally solve the puzzle while Gane looks to prove he still belongs among the division's elite. With two fights already in the books, there's a natural story here — and a trilogy could deliver another high-level heavyweight contest.

Aaron Pico vs. Arnold Allen

Pico wasted no time against Losene Keita, earning a first-round TKO and continuing to build momentum after his difficult start in the UFC. The former Bellator standout has long been considered a high-level talent, and his latest performance showed why the promotion has reason to invest in his future.

Arnold Allen would be a serious test. The British featherweight has competed against elite opposition and possesses the technical striking and experience to expose any gaps in Pico's game. The two were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 333 before Allen withdrew, so booking the matchup now would give fans the contest they missed. Pico has the power and wrestling to make things interesting, but Allen would offer a clear step up in competition.

If Pico wants to establish himself as a genuine contender, this is the kind of fight he needs.