MMA NEWS
UFC

Volkanovski vs. Evloev, Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3 Headline UFC 333

ByThomas AlbanoMixed Martial Arts Journalist

After weeks of rumors, the UFC has confirmed that two championship bouts will headline UFC 333, which takes place on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi.

The main event will feature UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending the championship against Movsar Evloev.

Volkanovsi, who reigned as featherweight champion from December 2019 to February 2024, regained the gold at UFC 314, defeating Diego Lopes for the then-vacant title. The two fought in a rematch at UFC 325, with Volkanovski scoring another decision win to retain.

Evloev is a perfect 20-0 in professional MMA. He earned this title shot off a controversial decision win over Lerone Murphy in a title eliminator at UFC London in March.

The co-main event will be the awaited trilogy bout between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, as the two battle for the bantamweight belt.

The two first met at UFC Las Vegas in March 2023, with Dvalishvili getting the win. Dvalishvili then defeated Henry Cejudo before going on to defeat Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title.

Dvalishvili defended the belt successfully three times before dropping the belt in a rematch with Yan at UFC 323.

Yan, who has won four straight, held the bantamweight gold previously from July 2020 to March 2021.