For the 24th time since the Octagon first touched down in 2010, UFC will promote an event in the city of Abu Dhabi on Saturday as UFC 333 emanates from Etihad Arena in the U.A.E. A pair of title bouts will top the marquee, including a featherweight title showdown in the main event as Alexander Volkanovski looks for the second defense of his second title reign when he welcomes unbeaten Movsar Evloev. In the co-headliner, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet for a third time as Yan sets to defend his bantamweight title after regaining it in December. red event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription!
Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! As we draw closer to this weekend's numbered event, let's take a look at the biggest storylines surrounding UFC 333. One month after his 38th birthday, the Australian legend remains one of the sport's pound-for-pound best as he looks to pass featherweight legend Jose Aldo's record for the most title wins (while equaling his title defense total) in 145-pound history.
Volkanovski, who enters the second title defense of his second reign, has already authored one of the greatest and most successful careers in MMA history after winning his first 12 walks to the Octagon and scoring resounding wins over Chad Mendes, Aldo, Max Holloway (three times), Brian Ortega, Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes (twice). But it's his overall longevity and the manner in which he bounced back from consecutive knockout losses to pound-for-pound greats Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria in recent years, only to regain the featherweight crown, that have raised his legend to another level. Volkanovski's meeting with the 20-0 Evloev is basically a betting pick 'em and it's uncertain how much longer the former 214-pound rugby league player can remain atop the featherweight throne.
But it remains a joy to watch Volkanovski, who just so happens to have a key acting role in the "Street Fighter" movie that's currently in theaters, and continues to redefine what a fighter in the lower weight divisions can do after turning 35 thanks to his footwork, IQ and adaptability. The path to a title shot at the highest levels of the sport of MMA is anything but an exact science and can vary from fighter to fighter depending upon their marketability, fighting style or the depth of their division. For every Josh Hokit, who will compete for the UFC heavyweight title in November just three years after turning pro, there's Evloev, who after 12 years and 20 pro fights will finally get a chance at fulfilling his dream of becoming champion.
With a record of 20-0, including wins in all 10 UFC fights dating back to his 2019 debut, Evloev's journey is atypical because of how long he has had to wait. Injuries, illnesses and canceled fights have also been part of the delay for the 32-year-old native of Russia. But even after consecutive wins over Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Arnold Allen and former 135-pound champion Aljamain Sterling, Evloev still had to wait and watch Lopes fight for the title twice before he ever received his call.
Evloev also needed one more victory to secure his spot, which came in March against fellow unbeaten Lerone Murphy -- in his opponent's backyard of London, no less -- when the grappling-heavy Evloev fought back against criticism that he's too boring by striking with Murphy in an exciting majority decision win. Evloev's patience has paid off. And the time spent enduring has also made him a better fighter.
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