UFC 333: Volkanovski and Yan put titles on the line in Abu Dhabi

Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight title against unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev in Abu Dhabi on 24 October 2026.

The event will be held at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, with a second championship fight also scheduled for the card. In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Petr Yan will face former champion and number-one contender Merab Dvalishvili for the third time.

Volkanovski returns to the octagon against a Russian challenger who has yet to lose during his professional career. The bout brings together the experience of a champion accustomed to competing in major contests and the ambition of a fighter seeking to claim his first UFC title.

Evloev will arrive in Abu Dhabi with his unbeaten record intact, aiming to leave as the new featherweight champion. Volkanovski, meanwhile, will be looking to retain the belt in one of the night’s most closely anticipated match-ups.

Yan’s meeting with Dvalishvili adds another layer to the championship double-header. The pair have already shared the octagon twice, making their third encounter a decisive chapter in their rivalry, with the bantamweight title at stake.

The card also includes a heavyweight contest between Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev. In the featherweight division, Arnold Allen faces Aaron Pico, while Lone’er Kavanagh takes on Rhamzan Temirov in a flyweight bout.

Abu Dhabi’s UFC spotlight

UFC 333 represents another major UFC event for Abu Dhabi, which has established itself as a prominent destination for mixed martial arts contests. Over the years, the city has hosted some of the organisation’s leading fighters in front of a growing regional audience.

With two titles being contested on the same night, the event brings together champions, challengers and fighters with strong records. It places Abu Dhabi at the centre of attention for UFC fans across the Middle East and beyond.

STARZPLAY, the official home of the UFC in the Middle East and North Africa, will broadcast UFC 333 live and exclusively in the region. Coverage will include the event at Etihad Arena as the championship fights unfold.

The main questions before the action begins are whether Volkanovski can successfully defend his featherweight crown or whether Evloev will preserve his unbeaten record and become a new champion in Abu Dhabi. The bantamweight title will also be decided when Yan meets Dvalishvili for the third time.

UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev takes place on 24 October 2026 at Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and will be broadcast live and exclusively on STARZPLAY in the Middle East and North Africa.