UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi.
This will be yet another night of pure action and punches.
Details of the fight card are yet to be revealed.
Here’s everything you need to know about UFC 333 taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi and the UFC go way back. With more than 20 UFC events held in the capital since 2010, the Octagon has become a familiar sight in the UAE, attracting some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts to the region. Now, that long-running partnership is set to continue, with UFC 333 Abu Dhabi officially confirmed for this October.
UFC 333 is set to take place on Saturday, October 24 2026, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The event will form part of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, which returns to Yas Island. The week is expected to bring together a mix of UFC-related activities, fan experiences and world-class MMA action, building up to the main event at Etihad Arena.
At the top of the card, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his title against undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev. The co-main event is another championship clash, with bantamweight champion Petr Yan facing No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili for the third time.
The headline fight brings together two contrasting forces in the featherweight division. Volkanovski arrives in Abu Dhabi with a professional record of 28-4-0 and remains one of the most successful featherweights in UFC history. “The Great” reclaimed the title with victory over Diego Lopes at UFC 314, before successfully defending the belt in their rematch at UFC 325. His first championship reign included five successful title defences.
Evloev, meanwhile, brings an unblemished 20-0 record into the Octagon. The Russian contender most recently defeated Lerone Murphy by majority decision in London, following victories over Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen and Diego Lopes. UFC 333 now gives him the opportunity to turn that unbeaten run into championship gold.
The co-main event revisits one of the bantamweight division’s biggest rivalries. Petr Yan, who holds a 20-5-0 record, will defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili, who stands at 21-5-0. The pair have already met twice. Dvalishvili defeated Yan in 2023, before Yan levelled the rivalry with a unanimous-decision victory at UFC 323 in December 2025, reclaiming the bantamweight championship in the process. Their Abu Dhabi meeting will decide the third chapter.
If you’ve ever wondered about the number attached to a UFC event, UFC 333 refers to the event’s position in the organisation’s numbered pay-per-view series. UFC numbered events traditionally feature some of the promotion’s biggest cards, often including championship bouts and high-profile match-ups. The number itself does not refer to a specific weight class, location or title. Instead, it forms part of the UFC’s long-running event numbering system.
Tickets for UFC 333 will go on sale at 1pm GST on Monday, 17 August via Etihad Arena and Ticketmaster.ae. VIP packages are also available through On Location, offering premium seating, private lounge access, meet-and-greets with UFC athletes and other perks.
Where: Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday, 24 October 2026
Contact: www.etihadarena.ae