ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Two UFC world titles hang in the balance on Saturday as featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski meets undefeated challenger Movsar Evloev at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The event, UFC 333, features a 14-fight slate highlighted by the clash at 145 pounds and a bantamweight title trilogy rematch between current champion Petr Yan and former titleholder Merab Dvalishvili.
Volkanovski defends against rising Russian grappler
Volkanovski, 38, brings a 28-4 professional mixed martial arts record into the cage for his second defense since reclaiming the featherweight crown. After dropping the championship to Ilia Topuria, the Australian veteran rebounded with back-to-back five-round victories over Diego Lopes, first reclaiming the belt and subsequently defending it, The Sporting News reported.
Volkanovski faces an undefeated test in Evloev, a 20-0 fighter who has compiled 10 consecutive victories inside the UFC octagon. A former M-1 Global bantamweight champion, Evloev locked down his first UFC title opportunity following a victory over Lerone Murphy in March, according to Fox News.
Addressing Evloev’s wrestling prowess ahead of the bout, Volkanovski told The Associated Press that he anticipates grappling pressure. “You can try and take me down all day,” Volkanovski said. “Even if you get it down, I’m gonna be smiling as I get back up, and be back in your face.”
Yan and Dvalishvili settle their trilogy
In the co-main event, Yan puts his bantamweight championship on the line against Dvalishvili in the third installment of their rivalry. Dvalishvili, who holds a 21-5 record, dominated their first meeting in 2023. However, Yan, holding a 20-5 mark, captured the belt back 10 months ago with a unanimous decision victory over Dvalishvili in December, according to Fox News.
Both fighters enter the trilogy matchup with extensive resumes at 135 pounds, with Dvalishvili seeking to avenge his recent defeat and Yan aiming to secure his fifth consecutive win.
Heavyweights and contenders round out the card
The main card also features an all-Russian heavyweight showdown between veteran striker Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev. Volkov, who owns 40 victories against 11 defeats, has claimed back-to-back decision wins. Kuniev carries a 14-3-1 record into the bout, with half of his career victories coming by knockout, Fox News reported.
In the flyweight division, Lone’er Kavanagh takes on Ramazan Temirov. Kavanagh enters with a 10-2 record, looking to rebound after dropping two of his past three contests, while Temirov brings a 20-3 record bolstered by five straight wins, according to Fox News.
UFC 333 streams live on Paramount+ without requiring a traditional pay-per-view fee for active subscribers, The Sporting News reported. The preliminary fights begin at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 2 p.m. ET.
