UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev drew a sold-out crowd at Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Saturday, 25 October 2026, setting what UFC described as the highest attendance and the highest gate for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi to date.
UFC CEO Dana White said more than 50 per cent of fans came from outside the UAE. White also commented that visitors spent on travel and accommodation, saying the organization aims to deliver an event experience that meets those expectations. White added that he plans to bring “lots of great events” to Abu Dhabi again and teased a separate “unique” event for later, noting that renderings were already being reviewed and that an announcement would follow soon.
White’s remarks came after the promotion announced that thousands of fans filled the venue for two title fights, with Alexander Volkanovski defending his featherweight championship in the main event against previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev.
Volkanovski retains featherweight title with second-round stoppage
In the main event, Volkanovski won by technical knockout in the second round, stopping Evloev with punches at 4:54. The win handed Evloev his first professional defeat.
Speaking about the performance and the setting, Volkanovski said Abu Dhabi is always “great,” and noted it was his fifth time competing in the emirate. He also referenced the treatment and hospitality he said fans and organizers extend during his visits.
Yan defends bantamweight belt in third fight with Dvalishvili
In the co-main event, Petr Yan successfully defended his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili. The bout was the third meeting between the pair, and Yan won by unanimous decision after five rounds.
All three judges scored the contest 48-47 in Yan’s favour.
The company said the result was another significant moment for Yan in Abu Dhabi. Yan previously won the bantamweight title against Jose Aldo in 2020 during UFC Fight Island. After his victory, Yan said he was still processing the win but felt “great and happy” to share the moment again in Abu Dhabi, adding that the result mattered for his team, family and supporters.
Other main card results
On the rest of the main card, Lone’er Kavanagh defeated Ramazan Temirov by first-round TKO. Alexander Volkov earned a unanimous decision over Rizvan Kuniev, while Aaron Pico secured a first-round TKO victory against Losene Keita.
The promotion said UFC 333 closed out Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, reinforcing the emirate’s positioning as a destination for major international MMA events.