UFC Announces monster October event in Abu Dhabi

UFC 330 took place this past weekend. While the fights were the main headline, there was also major news from the event. UFC 333 is set for October 24th, marking the UFC’s annual appearance in Abu Dhabi for a numbered event. Every numbered event out in Abu Dhabi is always stacked from top to bottom, and this card keeps that trend going.  MORE: Islam Makhachev climbs the GOAT rankings after UFC 330 There are two title fights on the card that close the show after a multitude of ranked fights, a severe lack on UFC 330. This card is essentially the opposite of the Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry card, which was top-heavy and carried by the main event.  The best fight cards are the ones with depth, and UFC 333 sure has it. Here’s the breakdown of the main card. MORE: UFC 330 results: Islam Makhachev rides out title defense, Mackenzie Dern dominates Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (featherweight championship) Mar 20, 2026; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Movsar Evloev of Russia at weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) The clear next title fight for the 145-pound division. It was only a matter of time before Volkanovski came back, and there isn’t another contender more deserving than the undefeated Evloev. Evloev has beaten highly ranked contenders such as Lerone Murphy, Aljamain Sterling, and Arnold Allen on his way towards this moment. Now 20-0 in his pro MMA career, there’s no denying Evloev for a title shot.  MORE: Dana White shuts down absurd UFC White House weather conspiracy theory Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight champion of all time. Volk looks to solidify that status with a ninth title win, which would break the record he and Jose Aldo share, currently at eight wins.  Co-Main: Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3 (bantamweight championship) Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) fights Petr Yan (blue gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Another title fight that had to happen: Dvalishvili lost his title in a rematch against Yan at UFC 323. Now the two fighters are 1-1 against each other. Dvalishvili looks to regain the bantamweight title that he previously defended more than anyone in division history. Yan is now the two-time bantamweight champion. Dvalishvili seemed gassed out because of how active he was in 2025. Body shots were the catalyst for Yan’s victory. Now he’ll have to solve that puzzle again, as Dvalishvili is well-rested and ready to claim the throne once more.  MORE: Islam Makhachev vs. elite striker, more fights to make after UFC 330 Flyweight Bout: Lone’er Kavanaugh vs Ramazan Temirov Mar 21, 2025; London, United Kingdom; UFC flyweight Lone’er Kavanagh during official weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Top 10 contenders clash. Kavanaugh is making a pretty quick turnaround after losing to Brandon Royval at UFC 329 in July. Temirov is fresh off a first-round knockout victory over former title challenger Steve Erceg.  This matchup is guaranteed chaos. Temirov is all pace all the time, moving forward and only throwing shots to find knockouts. Kavanaugh is more of a technical striker, using light kickboxing and Muay Thai skills to systematically land shots.  Heavyweight bout: Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev May 9, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, UNITED STATES; Alexander Volkov (red gloves) fights Waldo Cortes Acosta (blue gloves) during UFC 328 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images. Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Huge stakes in the heavyweight division. Volkov has long been one of the best heavyweights on the planet but has still never fought for the belt. That could change with a win over Kuniev. Since his controversial loss to Cyril Gane, Volkov has rebounded with two wins in a row. Kuniev is 2-1 in the UFC, having only lost to Curtis Blaydes. This is a step up in competition and experience level for Kuniev. Passing a test like this would mean Kuniev is likely one or two fights at most away from a title shot.  This matchmaking also should mean that a potential Alex Pereira vs Josh Hokit matchup is in store for the end of the year.  Featherweight Bout: Arnold Allen vs Aaron Pico Mar 19, 2022; London, UK; Arnold Allen (red gloves) before his fight against Dan Hooker (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Reuters) Pico jumps back into the deep end of the pool. After rebounding from his UFC debut loss with a win against Patricio Pitbull, Pico can earn his way back towards a No. 1 contender fight at 145.  Arnold Allen has been a contender at 145 pounds for years now. A win over a largely unproven contender in Pico would be huge for putting himself back towards the top of the division. The pattern of Allen’s career has been clear. He’ll beat lower-ranked contenders and look great. However, when Allen has a chance to solidify himself in the top three, he’s fallen just short.  Allen’s last three losses are to true contenders like Jean Silva, Movsar Evloev, and even Max Holloway. There’s certainly no shame in losing to fighters like them. That being said, a breakthrough has to happen at some point. Ultimately, a win over Pico doesn’t put Allen in the title-shot conversation, but it does set up a huge fight for a top spot in the division.  — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —