Last night (Saturday, October 24, 2026), the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) traveled to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. UFC 333. After several weeks of mediocrity, the UFC’s elite fight was BACK! Two title fights set the table in the sport’s two premier leagues, a pair of intriguing style clashes that will define the landscape for years to come… and maybe set the bantamweight GOAT? Rising stars and top veterans made up the rest of the card, setting the stage for one of the best events of the year.
Let’s take a closer look at the best performances and highlight the finishing touches of the night:
Alexander Volkanovsky beat out Movsar Evloev.
Evloev started well enough. He didn’t force a wrestle, but was still able to take down Volkanovski on several occasions. However, he struggled to keep “The Big One” down and was unable to land many strikes throughout the wrestling process. Volkanovski didn’t come on too strong at first, content to feint and get a feel for his opponent’s timing.
For the second round, Volkanovski was firing on all cylinders. He pressed on the Russian and started thrusting his own. Now Evloev was forced to wrestle and his tenacity took him to the bottom position. His explosion back to his feet was impressive, but also required a lot of energy. Back to his feet, Volkanovski closed the distance and sat on his combinations, repeatedly knocking Evloyev backwards. Volkanovski’s boxing was much more fluid and he was able to walk under Evloev without fear of backfire.
Evloev — undefeated and used to being the guy who moves forward — looked deeply uncomfortable under the shot and pressure. He was quickly rocked and crumbled without much resistance. Evloev may be a great featherweight, but he’s not a very good pound-for-pound.
Stylistically, it was a perfect match for “The Great” and he capitalized!
Peter Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3 was great.
The match started with Dvalishvili correcting the mistakes made in the rematch. He immediately attacked with a low kick that helped him land a right triple jab: a right overhand, leaning straight into a takedown and a low right. He generally mixed more strikes into his offense and he didn’t wait at all before committing to a grappling attack. Yan spent most of the 10 minutes reactive, forced into the defensive cycle that Dvalishvili traps his opposition into.
Yan, to his credit, flipped the switch in the third round. Dvalishvili was definitely getting a little tired of his inhuman pace and these takedown attempts were starting to slow down and become less threatening. As a result, Yan was able to explode further with his combos more. Dvalishvili was still a bit more active in pure numbers, but Yan landed more venom.
A left kick to the body bounced again and left Dvalishvili grimacing.
The violence and dominance never rose to the level of a rematch, but Yan was now in the driver’s seat. He was able to push forward with ease and avoid takedowns, allowing him to charge forward with confidence more often. Although Dvalishvili can walk through punches like few others, the injury still slowed him down and allowed Yan to build momentum.
Despite a valiant effort to steal back the final frame, “The Machine” had the upper hand and Yan remains atop the Bantamweight mountain.
Ramazan Temirov is a kill or be killed fighter and Lonely Kavanagh damn near killed him.
After a patient start, Temirov started doing what he does best: overhand rights! He broke Kavanagh at least once, but the young English forward took the blow well and was soon ready to return fire. He landed a control armbar that nearly floored Temirov, and Kavanagh didn’t hesitate to attack. A beautiful combination followed that sent Temirov flying into the garden and to the floor, and a few more punches were the nail in the coffin.
It was a risky fight for Kavanagh, who was only recently at war Brandon Royval. His gamble paid off – one heck of a way to get back into the win column!
Give Volkov his title
at the age of 38, Alexander Volkov is better than ever.
The Russian striker should be on an eight-game winning streak and has beaten a lot of tough competition in the process – including arguably the reigning champion! Even if you scored that controversial match Cyril GaneVolkov has now rejected two of the division’s best comers. He beat Rizvan Kunievproducing visible reactions with each toe poke on the stomach or foot.
Don’t blame the 6’9″ heavyweight for fighting long and maximizing his approach. He fights very well and has more than earned the opportunity to meet Gane or Josh Hockey next.
Don’t look now, though Aaron Pico has won back-to-back UFC fights.
Despite all the talent in the world, consistency and decision-making have long been a problem for Pico. Answer Losene Keitabut he fought one of the smartest fights of his career! Even if it only lasted a minute, his performance was really impressive. He kept his opponent off balance, mixing up his takedowns and boxing masterfully, giving us glimpses of the potential that has always been evident. All that up and down movement and slick feinting allowed Pico to land a beautiful right hand right to the temple, putting Keita on wobbly legs. A season of short shots sealed the deal and gave Pico his best win to date.
Time for a Top 10 Dance Partner?
Dominick Reyes followed Paulo Costas plan to dismantle quickly Azamat Murzakanov.
Murzakanov is a sharp boxer, but he is small for the division and needs to hit close range. While Costa, an orthodox fighter, beat Murzakanov from a distance with right shots to the head and body, Reyes is a lefty. As such, he simply switched his weapon of choice for a left shin kick. Murzakanov was immediately blocked from the shot and he wanted to quickly push into the pocket.
After a clean high kick, he ran right into Reyes’ best shot, a counter left hand. After a 16-0 start, Murzakanov has lost two fights in a row by violent knockout. Therefore, it may be time to move up to middleweight, where Murzakanov wouldn’t give up as much range.
- Abdul Rakhman Yakyhaev defeated Nikita Krylov by first round knockout (highlights): As a longtime “Miner” fan, it gives me no pleasure to admit that the former Top 10 Russian has been washed up. His stand-up threat has lessened and his wrestling isn’t as relentless these days. Krõlov chose to clinch, finished upside down and left his face wide open due to a nasty knee trying to raise the height along the fence – brutal. He has now lost four of his last five by knockout and his position on the roster does not appear to be secure.
- Abus Magomedov defeats Cam Rowston by guillotine in the first round (highlights): Magomedov is one of the best first round fighters on the roster and his experience was too much for Rowston. Despite all his kickboxing experience, Rowston immediately looked uncomfortable with Magomedov’s early speed and timing. As a result, he took a questionable kick and landed straight into a guillotine choke, which Magomedov expertly finished by yanking the trapped arm with his legs. As a result, he was able to adjust his grip and squeeze while Rowston struggled to generate movement. After nine UFC bouts, Magomedov’s only UFC losses came against Sean Strickland, Caio Borralhoand Joe Pyfer — the man is pretty good!
- Kody Steele defeated Noah Gugnon by first round knockout (highlights): Steele impressively picked up the first knockout win of his UFC career. Gugnon tried to push and bully his opponent with big punches, but Steele held his own and showed good defense, dodging several right hands. His own offers were tighter and more precise, and that’s when Steele got really comfortable in the pocket. He began to push the pace and kick the body, soon connecting on a right hand that collapsed his opponent.
To be complete UFC 333 for results and play-by-play, click here.
