Kamaru Usman and Song Yadong to Headline Abu Dhabi Showdown Week Fan Experiences

Fight enthusiasts are set to get up close and personal with some of the UFC's most prominent figures during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week. In the lead-up to UFC 333, scheduled for Saturday at the Etihad Arena, the premier MMA organization is hosting two UFC Fan Experiences. These events will feature public workouts, meet-and-greets, and live entertainment.

Fans will have the opportunity to meet former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, featherweight contender Jean Silva, and Moroccan featherweight Marwan Rahiki at Yas Mall on Wednesday. This event follows the public workouts of the main-event fighters, Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev, and the co-main event participants, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili.

Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against Evloev at UFC 333, while Dvalishvili aims to regain the bantamweight championship he lost to Yan in December. Usman expressed his positive sentiments about returning to Abu Dhabi, recalling his successful welterweight title defense against Jorge Masvidal on Fight Island in July 2020. "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," Usman stated. "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."

On Friday, fans can meet bantamweight contender Song Yadong, lightweight Mauricio Ruffy, and Palestinian-American heavyweight Sean Sharaf at Yas Bay Waterfront, starting at 7 pm. Yadong is particularly interested in the Yan-Dvalishvili bout, as the Chinese fighter hopes to be the next contender for the winner's title. "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," Yadong commented. "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."

The press conferences for UFC 333 are scheduled for Thursday at the Etihad Arena from 4-5:30 pm and are open to the public. The official weigh-ins will take place on Friday, with closed weigh-ins at 8 am, followed by ceremonial weigh-ins at the Etihad Arena from 4-6:30 pm, also open to the public. Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and Moroccan featherweight Marwan Rahiki will participate in a special live Q&A at the Etihad Arena prior to the ceremonial weigh-ins.

Additionally, Power Slap 25 will occur on Friday at the Space42 Arena, featuring a super heavyweight title rematch between Dayne “Da Hawaiian Hitman” Viernes and Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii. UFC 333 is set to take place on Saturday, October 24, with the preliminary card beginning around 6 pm UAE time and the main card expected to start around 10 pm.