The UFC owes Abu Dhabi a show — Volkanovski and Yan can deliver it

UFC 333, scheduled for October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, will feature two highly anticipated world title bouts as part of its main card. The event marks the return of Alexander Volkanovski and Petr Yan, both of whom are set to defend or challenge for titles in separate divisions. The announcement came during Saturday’s UFC 330 broadcast, confirming the lineup for the upcoming show. Volkanovski, the reigning featherweight champion, will face Movsar Evloev in a championship clash. This will be the first time the pair meet inside the octagon, with Evloev looking to claim the title after compiling a perfect 20–0 record in his professional career. Volkanovski, known for his resilience, previously faced Evloev in a different context, though not in a title fight. Earlier in his career, he secured a split decision victory over Max Holloway at UFC 251 in 2020 and later fell to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title bout at UFC 294 in October 2023. His return to Abu Dhabi adds significance to the event, as he seeks to solidify his position as a two-time featherweight champion. In the co-main event, Petr Yan will take on Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout. Their previous encounters were pivotal moments in the bantamweight division. At UFC 323, Yan shocked Dvalishvili, who had remained undefeated for seven years and held a 14-fight winning streak prior to the matchup. Yan’s victory allowed him to reclaim the bantamweight title and avenge his earlier loss to Dvalishvili. This third encounter promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both fighters eager to assert dominance in the division. In addition to these headline bouts, UFC 330 delivered its own dramatic finish. Islam Makhachev extended his unbeaten streak to 17 consecutive wins following a unanimous decision victory over Ian Machado Garry in the main event. The bout took place in Philadelphia and lasted five rounds, with Makhachev showcasing his superior grappling skills throughout the contest. Despite facing a determined opponent in Garry, who posed significant challenges, Makhachev maintained control and retained his UFC welterweight title. Makhachev acknowledged Garry’s efforts post-fight, expressing respect for his performance. “Ian is a great fighter, a good man, and I just respect him. He gave me a hard time, but I still prove myself every fight. Thank you for this match,” Makhachev stated. Meanwhile, Garry remained optimistic despite the loss, stating that the experience proved he was on the correct trajectory in his career. “I have nothing but respect for Islam Makhachev, he broke a record tonight. It might be one step backwards but I will return. I'm only 28, I can have another decade of dominating in this sport.” Reflecting on his own career, Makhachev emphasized the need to adjust his schedule due to his age. “I’m not like a young guy. Now it's better for me to fight every three to four months. I understand I'm not 28 years old; I'm 34 right now. And I don't have much time. Sometimes it's not going like you want in the UFC. You want to fight after three or four months, but it's not according to your wish,” he remarked during a conversation with UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson. The main card of UFC 333 features several other notable matchups, including Lone'er Kavanagh against Ramazan Temirov in the flyweight division, Alexander Volkov versus Rizvan Kuniev in the heavyweight category, Arnold Allen against Aaron Pico in the featherweight class, and more. The preliminary card includes bouts such as Dominick Reyes versus Azamat Murzakanov in the light heavyweight division, Abus Magomedov against Cam Rowston in the middleweight category, Nikita Krylov versus Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev in the light heavyweight division, and Grant Dawson versus Nurullo Aliev in the lightweight division. With the lineup confirmed, fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the action-packed events at UFC 333, which promises to deliver thrilling performances and potentially historic outcomes in multiple weight classes.