Dana White welcomes UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi as 333 rivals face off

UFC chief executive Dana White welcomed the organisation’s return to Abu Dhabi as Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev, along with Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, faced the media ahead of UFC 333 on Saturday.

The official news conference was held at Etihad Arena on Thursday in front of a large crowd and gathered media, two days before the event on Yas Island. All tickets for UFC 333: Volkanovski v Evloev have sold out.

“I’m happy to be back in Abu Dhabi,” White said as he opened the conference.

Featherweight champion Volkanovski and top contender Evloev will meet in Saturday’s main event. Volkanovski has a record of 28 wins and four defeats, while Evloev is unbeaten after 20 professional victories and will challenge for a UFC title for the first time.

Volkanovski acknowledged the quality of his opponent but said he expected to retain his belt.

“Evloev is one of the toughest opponents in this division and has a lot of skills, but I don’t believe what he brings will be enough against me,” said Volkanovski.

Evloev said he respected the champion but was confident in his own ability.

“I have huge respect for the champion, but I believe in my abilities and what I can bring to the fight, and I will prove it,” he said.

The co-main event will see bantamweight champion Petr Yan face Dvalishvili for a third time. The two fighters have each won one of their previous meetings.

Dvalishvili won their first contest by unanimous decision in 2023, before Yan secured a unanimous-decision victory in December 2025 to reclaim the bantamweight title. Yan enters the bout with 20 wins and five defeats, while Dvalishvili has 21 wins and five defeats.

Abu Dhabi holds particular significance for Yan, who won his first UFC title there in 2020 after defeating Jose Aldo during the organisation’s Fight Island events.

“Abu Dhabi has a special place in my heart,” said Yan. “I won the belt here against Jose Aldo in 2020, and I have also defended my title in the capital of the UAE.”

Dvalishvili, who received a warm response from the crowd, said he was determined to regain the championship.

“I love Abu Dhabi and I’m happy with the support I receive from the fans here,” he said. “I will give everything I have on Saturday, and I promise the fans a great fight.”

The conference also featured a light-hearted moment involving Alexander Volkov, who was in the audience. Volkov, who will face fellow Russian Rizvan Kuniev on the main card, asked Volkanovski for advice on winning a UFC title before asking White what he needed to earn a title shot.

At the end of the event, a fan offered to shave White’s hair in exchange for tickets. White replied jokingly: “How about I give you the tickets and leave your hair as it is?” The fan immediately accepted.

The fighters from the main and co-main events then met face to face on stage.

UFC 333: Volkanovski v Evloev takes place on Saturday, 24 October, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. With tickets sold out, fans will have one final opportunity to see the fighters before they enter the octagon at Friday’s official weigh-in at Etihad Arena, part of Abu Dhabi Challenge Week.