Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Fans will have the chance to meet some of UFC’s biggest names during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which is offering public workouts, meet-and-greets and other fan experiences.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, featherweight contender Jean Silva and Moroccan featherweight Marwan Rahiki will be making an appearance at Yas Mall on Wednesday, October 21, at 7pm.
And bantamweight contender Song Yadong, lightweight Mauricio Ruffy and Palestinian-American heavyweight Sean Sharaf will be at Yas Bay Waterfront on Friday, October 23, at 7pm.
Usman said: “Abu Dhabi has always been a special place for me and for UFC. I have some great memories of competing here, and the fans always bring incredible energy. Abu Dhabi Showdown Week is a great opportunity for us to connect with the fans outside the octagon, and I’m excited to be back, meet them and be part of another huge week for UFC in Abu Dhabi.”
Yadong added: “I’ve heard so many great things about UFC in Abu Dhabi and the atmosphere during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, so I’m really excited to finally experience it and be part of the week. UFC 333 is a huge card with some incredible fights. Of course, Petr Yan against Merab Dvalishvili is one I’m really looking forward to, and I can’t wait to meet the fans and experience the energy in Abu Dhabi.”
Fans can get their first close-up look at the UFC 333 championship fighters on Wednesday when featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev, bantamweight champion Petr Yan and No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili take part in public workouts at Yas Mall Town Centre at 5–7pm, just three days before fight night.
The action continues on Thursday, October 22, with the UFC 333 main and co-main event fighters taking to the stage at 5pm for the official press conference at Etihad Arena, coming face-to-face ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster event.
Later that evening, UAE Warriors brings another night of mixed martial arts action to ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 7pm, showcasing regional and international MMA talent as part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week.
On Friday, October 23, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Moroccan featherweight Marwan Rahiki will take part in a special live Q&A at Etihad Arena at 4 to 6.30pm, ahead of the UFC 333 weigh-ins. The pair will discuss their careers, share their thoughts on the UFC 333 card and interact with fans before fighters from across the card take to the stage for their final face-offs.
Meanwhile on Friday, Power Slap 25 takes over Space42 Arena, headlined by a super heavyweight title rematch between Dayne “Da Hawaiian Hitman” Viernes and Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii. The pair renew their rivalry after Viernes claimed a majority-decision victory in Abu Dhabi in 2025, while Dakota McGregor faces No. 3-ranked lightweight Reiley Montoya in the co-main event.
The free UFC Fan Experience runs at Yas Mall from October 19 to 25 and Yas Bay Waterfront from October 21 to 25. Visitors can take part in interactive UFC challenges and activations, alongside scheduled athlete appearances and meet-and-greets.
The week reaches its climax on Saturday, October 24, when Volkanovski steps into the octagon with Evloev at the Etihad Arena, with two championships on the line. Volkanovski will defend his featherweight crown against the undefeated Evloev, while Yan and Dvalishvili renew their rivalry in a bantamweight title trilogy bout.
Tickets are available via the Etihadarena.ae and Ticketmaster.ae websites.
