UFC 333 is shaping up to be one of the biggest fight cards of October, with Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev set to headline the event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The UFC has officially confirmed the event and currently lists the featherweight championship clash as the main event.
The card also features another major championship fight as Petr Yan takes on Merab Dvalishvili in a bantamweight title bout. With two title fights on the same night and a deep supporting lineup, UFC 333 has plenty of reasons for MMA fans to keep an eye on the Abu Dhabi event.
The official UFC listing has the main card scheduled for 2:00 PM ET, with prelims beginning at 12:00 PM ET. UFC’s event information lists Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as the venue.
Volkanovski vs. Evloev headlines UFC 333
The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the featherweight title fight between reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski and undefeated contender Movsar Evloev.
Volkanovski enters the fight with a UFC-record profile that includes a 28-4 professional record and 13 knockout victories. The Australian remains one of the most accomplished featherweights of his generation and has already built a remarkable championship résumé at 145 pounds. The UFC’s current athlete profile lists him as the featherweight title holder and records his most recent victory against Diego Lopes in January 2026.
Evloev represents a very different challenge. The Russian contender is currently listed at 20-0 and has remained unbeaten throughout his professional career. His UFC profile lists three knockout wins and four submission victories, highlighting the all-around skill set that has taken him to the top of the featherweight division.
The matchup is particularly interesting because it puts Volkanovski’s championship experience against an undefeated challenger who has steadily climbed the division. Evloev’s unbeaten record adds another layer of intrigue to a fight where one fighter is defending an established legacy and the other is trying to create one.
For Volkanovski, another successful title defense would add to an already impressive featherweight résumé. The UFC previously noted that his eight featherweight title-fight victories had tied José Aldo for the most in UFC featherweight history.
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili adds another title fight
The UFC 333 co-main event is another championship matchup, with Petr Yan facing Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title.
The fight carries plenty of history because Yan and Dvalishvili have already shared the Octagon. Their previous meetings have produced high-level tactical battles, making another chapter particularly significant for the bantamweight division.
The UFC’s current UFC 333 event listing identifies Yan as the champion and Dvalishvili as the challenger for the bantamweight title.
Their rivalry has already included championship-level encounters, and another meeting gives both fighters an opportunity to settle the latest chapter of their competitive story. For fans following the 135-pound division, this fight could have major implications for the title picture heading into the final months of 2026.
A deep supporting fight card
UFC 333 is not relying only on its two title fights. The currently listed lineup includes several experienced names and dangerous contenders across different weight classes.
At light heavyweight, Azamat Murzakanov faces Dominick Reyes, while another 205-pound matchup pits Nikita Krylov against Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev.
The heavyweight division will also be represented by Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev. Volkov brings considerable UFC experience into the matchup. His official UFC profile lists 24 knockout victories and notes that he has won six of his last seven fights. He most recently defeated Waldo Cortes Acosta by unanimous decision in May 2026.
At middleweight, Abusupiyan Magomedov takes on Cameron Rowston, while the lightweight division features Grant Dawson vs. Nurullo Aliev.
There is also a flyweight matchup between Lone’er Kavanagh and Ramazan Temirov, adding another fast-paced contest to the card.
The featherweight division gets additional representation through Arnold Allen or Losene Keita vs. Aaron Pico, although that matchup remains subject to the final opponent designation on the official UFC lineup.
UFC 333 date, venue and start time
UFC 333 takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
According to the UFC’s current event information, the main card is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET, while the prelims are listed for 12:00 PM ET. The UFC has also listed the event for viewing on Paramount+.
For fans in India, the Abu Dhabi location makes the event particularly convenient compared with UFC cards staged in North America, although viewers should check the final broadcast schedule closer to fight night because start times can change depending on the length of earlier bouts.
Tickets for UFC 333 are also officially being sold for the Etihad Arena event, with the UFC listing the public sale as available.
Why UFC 333 could be one to watch
The combination of an undefeated championship challenger, a highly experienced featherweight champion and a second title fight gives UFC 333 a strong storyline before the first punch is even thrown.
Volkanovski vs. Evloev is especially fascinating because the stakes go beyond a normal contender matchup. Volkanovski is defending the belt against a fighter who has yet to taste defeat professionally. Evloev, meanwhile, gets the biggest opportunity of his career against one of the most accomplished names in the division.
The second title fight gives the card another layer, while names such as Dominick Reyes, Nikita Krylov, Alexander Volkov, Grant Dawson and Aaron Pico add plenty of recognizable talent to the supporting lineup.
As always in MMA, however, fight cards can change before the event because of injuries, medical issues, weight problems or other circumstances. Fans should therefore use the UFC’s official event page for the latest confirmed lineup.
UFC 333 is still several weeks away, but the event is already generating plenty of interest. With two championship fights scheduled for Abu Dhabi and an increasingly deep undercard, October 24 could deliver a memorable night for MMA fans.
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