UFC 333: Volkanovski and Dvalishvili Favored to Defend Titles in Abu Dhabi Showdown

Abu Dhabi is set to host a thrilling UFC event this weekend, featuring two significant title fights as the promotion returns to the UAE. Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight championship, while Petr Yan makes his first defense of the bantamweight title. The action unfolds at Etihad Arena with a total of nine fights on the card. Below are our expert predictions for UFC 333.

UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi: How do Volkanovski-Evloev and Yan-Dvalishvili match up?

Main event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev

Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski appears to be back in peak form, evidenced by his two dominant wins over Diego Lopes. However, he faces a stern test against the undefeated Russian, Movsar Evloev, who boasts a perfect 20-0 professional MMA record. Volkanovski, with a record of 28-4, brings a wealth of experience to the octagon. This bout marks his 12th consecutive title fight and his sixth attempt to defend the UFC featherweight title. Widely considered among the greatest featherweights of all time, Volkanovski aims to further cement his legacy against Evloev.

While Volkanovski holds an edge in striking, Evloev excels in grappling. The Russian is a renowned wrestler, as demonstrated by his impressive performances against Aljamain Sterling. Evloev briefly experimented with different tactics in his win over Lerone Murphy but ultimately returned to his dominant wrestling style to secure the victory. Volkanovski has cautioned Evloev against trying to be overly flashy, urging him to bring his best game and warning against excuses if his wrestling doesn't go as planned. "People want to see how I handle that wrestling anyway. I think that's a part of the story," Volkanovski told The National.

Prediction: Volkanovski to win on the judges' scorecards.

Co-main event: Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan previously executed a near-perfect game plan to end Dvalishvili's three-fight win streak in the bantamweight division. Yan's devastating body shots significantly hampered the Georgian fighter when they last met in December. Yan's takedown defense was also exceptional during that bout. Dvalishvili admitted that accepting the fight against Yan, his fourth fight of 2025 and occurring just two months after his victory over Corey Sandhagen, was a strategic error. “I'm not blaming that because of my loss, but I know why I lost,” Dvalishvili shared with The National.

His loss to Yan snapped a 14-fight winning streak and led to a much-needed break for Dvalishvili. Neither fighter has competed since their last encounter. UFC 333 will mark their third meeting, with Dvalishvili having won their first bout via decision. Many respect Yan's technical prowess, including his underrated skills on the ground. However, with Dvalishvili now well-rested,