Alexander Volkanovski puts his featherweight title on the line this evening against undefeated contender Movsar Evloev at UFC 333, held at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The Australian UFC veteran regained the 145lb belt last year after outclassing Diego Lopes, following his loss to Ilia Topuria two years ago. Volkanovski then settled the rivalry with a second victory over Lopes earlier this year.
Evloev, a 32-year-old Russian wrestler, has won all of his professional fights and earned this title shot by defeating Lerone Murphy in London in a featherweight title eliminator.
UK Start Time for the Main Event
The early prelims are scheduled to begin at around 3pm BST (10am ET / 7am PT / 9am CT), with the prelims starting at 5pm BST (12pm ET / 9am PT / 11am CT). The main card is due to kick off at 7pm BST (2pm ET / 11am PT / 1pm CT).
In the main event, Evloev is expected to walk to the cage first at around 9pm BST (4pm ET / 1pm PT / 3pm CT), with Volkanovski following immediately after. The co-main event sees Petr Yan face Merab Dvalishvili for a third time, with Yan having avenged a previous loss by outpointing the Georgian last year.
How to Watch and Stream UFC 333
In the United Kingdom, all the action will be broadcast on TNT Sports, also accessible via HBO Max, EE TV, Virgin Media, Amazon Prime Video, and Sky Sports, with coverage getting underway at 5pm BST. Viewers in the United States can tune in via Paramount+.
Full Fight Card and Undercard
Main card:
- Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev
- Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili
- Lone'er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov
- Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev
- Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita
Prelims:
- Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes
- Nikita Krylov vs Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev
- Abus Magomedov vs Cam Rowston
- Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev
Early prelims:
- Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov
- Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun
- Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos
- Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon
- Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicole Caliari
Fighters' Pre-Match Comments
Volkanovski said of Evloev: "[Evloev has] incredible wrestling. One of the best in the UFC, definitely the best in our division. But again, it's just not enough for me, you know what I mean?"
He added: "To be honest, I believe if if we went five rounds of no strikes and just wrestling, grappling, I'll beat him there. I truly do believe that. I think he's got great wrestling, but when it comes to MMA and all that sort of stuff, it's just it's not enough. I get to show that anyway."
Evloev responded: "He's been a little illogical. He said, 'Don't you dare to strike.' And then, 'We'll be striking because I will make it a striking fight.' I will do anything I want. Whenever I decide to take him down, I will take him down."
He added: "Even if I need take him down 100 times, even more, I will do it. Just 25 minutes, I will enjoy each second of this time. Like I said, even if I need take him down every second, I will do it, and nobody will stop me there."
