Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
UFC returns to Abu Dhabi for a night of championship mixed martial arts action at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on October 24 as the world's premier promotion stages UFC 333 in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
The Saturday night event is headlined by a high-stakes featherweight title clash between champion Alexander Volkanovski and the undefeated No.1 contender Movsar Evloev, while the co-main event sees bantamweight champion Petr Yan put his title on the line against former titleholder and current No.1 contender Merab Dvalishvili.
Volkanovski, who fights out of Windang in New South Wales, Australia, brings a record of 28 wins and four defeats into the contest. The Australian, widely known as "The Great", arrives on the back of consecutive victories over Diego Lopes.
He reclaimed the featherweight championship at UFC 314 and then successfully defended it in their immediate rematch at UFC 325. During his first reign as champion, he made five successful title defences, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished fighters the division has produced. His combination of relentless pace, precise striking and championship experience makes him a formidable obstacle for any challenger.
Standing opposite him will be Evloev, who enters the Octagon with a perfect professional record of 20 victories and no losses. Fighting out of Ingushetia, Russia, the No.1-ranked featherweight has systematically dismantled a succession of high-level opponents.
His most recent outing produced a majority-decision win over Lerone Murphy in London, adding to earlier notable victories against Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes.
Evloev's unbeaten run and ranking position have long marked him as the clearest threat to Volkanovski's second reign, and their meeting in Abu Dhabi represents the culmination of that pursuit of gold.
The co-main event renews one of the bantamweight division's most compelling rivalries. Petr Yan, from Omsk, Russia, holds a record of 20 wins and five losses and reclaimed the title with a unanimous-decision victory over Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025.
That win avenged Yan's earlier defeat to the Georgian-born fighter in 2023. Dvalishvili, who fights out of Garden City Park, New York, carries a record of 21 wins and five losses into the rubber match.
Known for his relentless pressure and cardio, "The Machine" has established himself as one of the most durable and high-volume competitors in the weight class. Their third meeting is expected to settle unfinished business between two of the division's elite.
Beyond the two title fights, the card features a series of ranked match-ups that underline the depth of talent on display.
In the flyweight division, England's No.6 contender Lone'er Kavanagh, who fights out of London with a record of 10 wins and two losses, meets No.7-ranked Ramazan Temirov of Karshi, Uzbekistan, who brings a mark of 20 victories and three defeats.
At heavyweight, No.2-ranked Alexander Volkov of Moscow, Russia, with a career record of 40 wins and 11 losses, faces No.5 contender Rizvan Kuniev of Makhachkala, Dagestan, who stands at 14 wins, three losses and one draw.
Tickets for UFC 333 went on sale at 1pm on Monday, August 17, through Etihad Arena and Ticketmaster.ae.
The return of the promotion to Etihad Arena continues a successful collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi that has previously delivered memorable nights of elite combat sports on Yas Island.
With two undisputed championships on the line and a supporting programme packed with ranked contenders from across the globe, UFC 333 is positioned to deliver another landmark event for fans of the sport in the region and beyond.
UFC 333 card
Featherweight title: Alexander Volkanovski (28-4-0) v Movsar Evloev (20-0-0)
Bantamweight title: Petr Yan (20-5-0) v Merab Dvalishvili (21-5-0)
Flyweight: Lone'er Kavanagh (10-2) v Ramazan Temirov (20-3)
Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (40-11) v Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1)
Featherweight: Arnold Allen (21-4) v Aaron Pico (14-5)
Light heavyweight: Dominick Reyes (16-5) v Azamat Murzakanov (16-1)
Middleweight: Abus Magomedov (29-7-1) v Cam Rowston (15-3)
Light heavyweight: Nikita Krylov (31-12) v Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev (10-0)
Lightweight: Grant Dawson (24-3-1) v Nurullo Aliev (12-0)
