UFC 333 takes place in Abu Dhabi on Saturday with title fights, rivalry-fueled drama and high-stakes matchups throughout the card.
Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev clash for featherweight gold, while Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili renew their rivalry with the bantamweight title at stake. Aaron Pico brings explosive finishing power, and the prelims feature rising contenders eager to break through. With all the ingredients for explosive style clashes to highlight-reel knockouts, UFC 333 promises to be non-stop action from the opening bell to the main event.
Main Card (begins at 2 p.m. ET)
— Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. Movsar Evloev — Featherweight title
— Petr Yan (C) vs. Merab Dvalishvili — Bantamweight title
— Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov — Flyweight
— Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev — Heavyweight
— Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita — Featherweight
Prelims (begins at noon on Sportsnet 360 and Sportsnet+)
— Azamat Murzakanov vs. Dominick Reyes — Light Heavyweight
— Nikita Krylov vs. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev — Light Heavyweight
— Abus Magomedov vs. Cam Rowston — Middleweight
— Grant Dawson vs. Nurullo Aliev — Lightweight
Early Prelims (starts at 10 a.m. ET)
— Colby Thicknesse vs. Asaf Chopurov — Bantamweight
— Abubakar Vagaev vs. Jacob Malkoun — Middleweight
— Bolaji Oki vs. Daniel Santos — Featherweight
— Kody Steele vs. Noah Gugnon — Lightweight
— Iasmin Lucindo vs. Nicolle Caliari — Women’s Strawweight
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Aaron Bronsteter's picks
Cage Lock: Murzakanov vs. Reyes ends inside the distance (-400)
Favourite: Grant Dawson (-110)
Underdog: Jacob Malkoun (+135)
Dart Throw: Volkanovski wins by KO/TKO (+450)
Reyes and Murzakanov will be a volatile fight as two light heavyweights with heavy power will likely stand and trade. I do not foresee that taking place for a full fifteen minutes before one of them finds the finish.
Dawson is superior to Aliev in every area. If he gets the better of the grappling exchanges, which I expect him to do, I believe that his strengths will offset those of Aliev.
Similarly, I believe that Malkoun has the superior grappling and striking to Vagaev and feels like a no-brainer as an underdog in this spot.
Evloev has never lost a fight, but skill for skill, if this fight goes Volkanovski’s way and he is able to keep the fight on the feet, I can see him overwhelming Evloev and potentially finding a late finish.
Dan Fernandes' picks
Cage Lock: Asaf Chopurov (-600)
Favourite: Aaron Pico (-145)
Underdog: Merab Dvaliahvili (+135)
Dart Throw: Iasmin Lucindo by TKO/KO (+500)
Chopurov enters the UFC unbeaten at 11-0, with an impressive mix of knockout power and submission skills. His finishing ability gives him multiple paths to victory against Colby Thicknesse, making him my safest pick on the card. A nice pick to parlay with some riskier plays.
Pico’s elite wrestling background and explosive athleticism make him a dangerous matchup for Losene Keita. He has the tools to dictate where the fight goes and create opportunities with his power. At minus-145, I’m backing his physical advantages to pay off. I think he's levelled since the KO loss to Lerone Murphy in Chicago and is starting to live up to expectations.
Dvalishvili at plus money?! Take those odds anytime you can get it. The relentless schedule he had in 2024 and 2025 finally caught up with him. But after taking some time away, "The Machine" could be firing on all cylinders. If this happens, there are very few in MMA who can stop him.
Lucindo is a heavy favourite to win here. She has shown knockout power on the regional scene and her opponent has been clipped before. At plus-500, this is worth some consideration.
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