UFC 333

Background

The event marked the promotion's 24th visit to Abu Dhabi and its first since UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov in July 2026. It was also the eleventh numbered event held in the city, following UFC 321 in 12th October 2025.

A UFC Featherweight Championship bout between reigning two-time champion Alexander Volkanovski and undefeated contender Movsar Evloev headlined the event.

A UFC Bantamweight Championship trilogy bout between reigning two-time champion Petr Yan and former champion Merab Dvalishvili took place as the co-main event. The pair first met in March 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili, where Dvalishvili defeated Yan via unanimous decision. Their second meeting took place in December 2025 at UFC 323, where Yan defeated Dvalishvili to reclaim the bantamweight title, ending the latter's 14-fight winning streak at the time.

A featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and Aaron Pico was scheduled for the event. However, Allen withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Losene Keita.

At the weigh-ins, Nicolle Caliari weighed in at 120.5 pounds, four and a half pound over the women's strawweight non-title fight limit. Her bout proceeded at catchweight and she was fined 30 percent of her purse, which went to her opponent Iasmin Lucindo.

Bonus awards

The following fighters received bonuses: $100,000. The other finishes received $25,000 additional bonuses.

Fight of the Night: Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Performance of the Night: Alexander Volkanovski and Lone'er Kavanagh