UFC 333 is shaping up to be one of the biggest MMA events of October, with two championship fights headlining the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi. Alexander Volkanovski will defend his featherweight title against undefeated challenger Movsar Evloev, while Petr Yan puts the bantamweight championship on the line against former champion Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy fight.
Last updated: September 20, 2026
UFC 333: What We Know So Far
The UFC’s next numbered event is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The official UFC event listing identifies the card as UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev.
According to the current event schedule, the early prelims are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, prelims for 12 p.m. ET and the main card for 2 p.m. ET, with the event available on Paramount+ in the United States.
Because fight cards can change before fight night, the lineup below should be treated as the current announced card, rather than a final immutable lineup.
For navigation, the official UFC event page is the best place to link readers for future changes to the card and event information. UFC 333 Official Event Page
🔥 Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev
The biggest fight of UFC 333 will see UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defend his 145-pound title against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev.
Volkanovski is entering another important chapter of his championship career after reclaiming the featherweight belt and recording consecutive victories over Diego Lopes. Evloev, meanwhile, brings an unbeaten professional record into his first UFC title opportunity.
The matchup creates a major stylistic question.
Can Volkanovski’s championship experience and all-around game neutralize Evloev’s pressure and grappling?
Or can Evloev remain unbeaten and take the featherweight championship in his first title fight?
Those questions will dominate the UFC 333 buildup.
Volkanovski vs. Evloev Press Conference and Faceoff
The UFC held its first major UFC 333 press conference and faceoffs in Los Angeles on September 18.
Volkanovski and Evloev faced one another on stage ahead of their October title fight, while Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili also appeared for their championship trilogy confrontation.
The faceoff added another layer of anticipation to a fight that has been building toward one of the most significant featherweight title contests of the year.
🏆 Co-Main Event: Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3
UFC 333 will also feature a championship trilogy between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili.
Yan currently holds the UFC bantamweight championship, while Dvalishvili is attempting to reclaim the belt.
The rivalry has already produced two previous encounters, with each fighter holding a victory over the other. Their third meeting therefore carries an unusual level of championship significance: the next fight could determine who controls the 135-pound division moving forward.
Why the trilogy matters
The first two fights established a genuine competitive rivalry, but the UFC 333 meeting has a different context because the bantamweight championship is at stake.
For Yan, the objective is to retain the belt.
For Dvalishvili, the opportunity is to regain championship status.
That makes the co-main event one of the most important fights on the entire card.
🚨 Major UFC 333 Card Change: Arnold Allen Out
One of the biggest pieces of UFC 333 news this week involves the featherweight matchup between Aaron Pico and Arnold Allen.
Allen has withdrawn from the event and will no longer fight Pico on October 24.
Reports indicate the withdrawal is connected to his ongoing rehabilitation following previous treatments rather than a newly sustained injury.
The UFC has moved quickly to keep Pico on the card.
Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita Now Set
Losene Keita has stepped in to face Aaron Pico at UFC 333.
Keita recently made headlines after scoring a first-round knockout of Muhammad Naimov at UFC Paris, earning a Performance of the Night bonus according to reporting surrounding the matchup.
That means the Pico fight has changed from an established contender matchup into an intriguing meeting involving a fighter coming off a highlight-reel UFC victory.
Why this replacement is significant
Pico remains one of the names to watch in the featherweight division, while Keita now has an opportunity to make a major impression against a highly regarded opponent.
The short-notice nature of the matchup could also make preparation and game planning particularly important.
Current UFC 333 Fight Card
The announced lineup has changed since the original card was revealed.
Main Card
Featherweight Championship
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev
Bantamweight Championship
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3
Featherweight
Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita
Light Heavyweight
Dominick Reyes vs. Azamat Murzakanov
Heavyweight
Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Middleweight
Abus Magomedov vs. Cam Rowston
Flyweight
Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov
Several of these matchups were part of the previously announced UFC 333 lineup, although individual placements and the overall card can change before fight night.
UFC 333 Date, Venue and Start Times
Event: UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Venue: Etihad Arena
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Early Prelims: 10 a.m. ET
Prelims: 12 p.m. ET
Main Card: 2 p.m. ET
U.S. Streaming: Paramount+
The currently listed times come from UFC/ESPN event information and may be adjusted as the event approaches.
What to Watch Before Fight Night
1. Volkanovski’s championship defense
The former long-time featherweight champion is again fighting with UFC gold on the line. His experience in five-round title fights will be one of the central storylines.
2. Evloev’s unbeaten record
Evloev enters the title fight without a professional loss. His first championship opportunity represents a major test against an established UFC champion.
3. The Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy
Two fighters who already know each other’s strengths and weaknesses will meet again with the bantamweight championship at stake.
4. Pico’s new opponent
Pico’s matchup with Allen was one of the notable fights originally attached to the card. After Allen’s withdrawal, Keita now has the opportunity to make a major statement against Pico.
5. The featherweight title picture after UFC 333
The winner of Volkanovski vs. Evloev will have major implications for the next stage of the 145-pound division.
Recent analysis has also highlighted Jean Silva as a potential future title contender following his latest UFC victory, although any future matchup remains subject to official UFC decisions.
UFC 333 Fight Week: What Fans Should Expect
The final weeks before UFC 333 should bring additional developments involving:
- Official fight-card confirmations
- Fighter interviews
- Training-camp updates
- Rankings changes
- Promotional appearances
- Media day
- Open workouts
- Official weigh-ins
- Final faceoffs
- Medical and commission updates
- Last-minute opponent changes
- Fight-night broadcast information
America Newsline will update this article as officially confirmed developments emerge.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UFC 333?
UFC 333 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Where is UFC 333?
The event is scheduled for Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Who is headlining UFC 333?
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev is scheduled to headline the event for the UFC featherweight championship.
Who is fighting in the co-main event?
Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3 is scheduled as the co-main event, with Yan’s bantamweight championship at stake.
What happened to Arnold Allen?
Allen withdrew from his scheduled UFC 333 fight with Aaron Pico. Reports say he was not expected to be ready in time because of rehabilitation from previous treatments. Losene Keita has replaced him.
How can fans watch UFC 333?
The currently listed U.S. broadcast information places the main card on Paramount+, with the early prelims and prelims also listed there. Check the official UFC schedule as fight week approaches for the latest broadcast information.
Final UFC 333 Update
UFC 333 already has two championship fights, an undefeated title challenger, a championship trilogy and a recently reshuffled featherweight matchup.
The latest major development is the replacement of Arnold Allen by Losene Keita in the Aaron Pico matchup. Meanwhile, the September 18 press conference and faceoffs have officially moved the event into its main promotional phase.
UFC 333 takes place October 24 in Abu Dhabi. America Newsline will continue updating this page with confirmed fight-card changes, press-conference developments, weigh-in information and official fight-night results.
Information in this article is based on the latest available UFC/event reporting as of September 20, 2026. Fight cards, bout order and start times remain subject to change.