UFC 333 Predictions: Volkanovski vs. Evloev Odds & Preview

UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev is one of the most highly-anticipated cards on the schedule with a pair of world championship fights on the docket. Two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski puts his title on the line against undefeated No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev in the main event. Early UFC odds suggest a close bout with both fighters priced at negative money.

In a fight that deserves main event recognition bantamweight king Petr Yan defends his 135-pound belt against former champion Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout with each having a previous victory. The pair first met in March 2023 with Dvalishvili scoring a unanimous decision. Yan reclaimed the title last December ending Dvalishvili’s 14-fight winning streak.

UFC returns to Abu Dhabi in the UAE for its annual October trip to Etihad Arena. Headlined by a pair of immense championship fights, the remainder of the 14-fight card includes critical bouts across several different divisions with standout prospects looking to move ahead in their UFC careers. 

UFC 333 Date and Location

• UFC 333 takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the entire ticket on Paramount+
• The scheduled 14-fight ticket will be held at Etihad Arena.
• Due to the time difference, UFC 333 features a special early broadcast schedule with the main card scheduled for approximately 2 p.m. ET.
• The Main Event is a featherweight championship fight between champion Alexander Volkanovski and undefeated top-ranked contender Movsar Evloev.
• The Co-Main Event features a trilogy bout between bantamweight champion Petr Yan and former champion Merab Dvalishvili.

UFC 333 Main Event Preview & Prediction

Fighter Comparison: Tale of the Tape

Alexander Volkanovski (28-4, 13 KOs, 3 SUBs) 

• A two-time featherweight champion, he first won the title with a unanimous decision over Max Holloway in 2019. 
• A stretch of 3 losses in four fights extending into 2024 had many questioning whether the 38-year-old still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
• Laying those doubts to rest, Volkanovski scored a UD over Diego Lopes in April 2025 reclaiming the vacant title. He earned another UD victory in the rematch 10 months later.
• At his advanced age Volkanovski fights at a relentless pace with precise volume striking and impenetrable defense making him a challenge for any fighter.

Movsar Evloev (20-0, 3 KOs, 4 SUBs)

• Has built a flawless professional record winning all 10 fights inside the Octagon, with each one going the distance. 
• Won a title eliminator bout in March with a majority decision over Lerone Murphy despite having a scorecard deduction for an illegal groin strike.
• A wrestling tactician, Evloev uses his grappling skill better than any fighter and operates at a relentless pace.
• Uses overwhelming forward pressure, elite wrestling skill and dominant ground control to neutralize opponents.

Tactical Keys to Victory

• Volkanovski must neutralize his opponents grappling and exploit his own edge in open-space striking.
• Must use his elite footwork to avoid getting caught flat-footed. Keeping the fight in the center of the Octagon allows Volkanovski to use his striking volume and variety.
• To dethrone the champ Evloev needs to push a grueling pace against his veteran opponent and turn the bout into an exhausting wrestling match.
• Prioritize rigid top control and ground-and-pound to win a clear, dominant round on the judges’ scorecards.

WHERE ARE YOU BETTING FROM?

Select your state and download the app.

Ohio Ohio New Jersey New Jersey Kentucky Kentucky

Best Bets and Main Event Prediction

Oddsmakers have both fighters listed at negative money on the UFC betting odds showing just how razor-thin the margin is. If Volkanovski keeps the fight standing his ability to keep opponents at a distance and striking variety are clear advantages. However, Evloev’s youth and continuous pressure could tax the champ over five-rounds.

• Alexander Volkanovski -111
• Movsar Evloev -109
• Over 4.5 Rounds (-267); Under 4.5 Rounds (+220)
• The fighter who imposes his will and style will likely emerge with the belt. Given Volkanovski’s history and experience, along with his elite defense, he has the tools to get the win going the distance.

UFC 333 Full Fight Card

Main Card

• Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Movsar Evloev
• Bantamweight: Petr Yan (c) vs. Merab Dvalishvili
• Flyweight: Ramazan Temirov vs. Lone’er Kavanagh
• Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev vs. Alexander Volkov
• Featherweight: Losene Keita vs. Aaron Pico

Preliminary Card

• Light Heavyweight: Dominick Reyes vs. Azamat Murzakanov
• Light Heavyweight: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Nikita Krylov
• Middleweight: Cam Rowston vs. Abus Magomedov
• Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev vs. Grant Dawson

Early Prelims

• Bantamweight: Asaf Chopurov vs. Colby Thicknesse
• Middleweight: Jacob Malkoun vs. Abubakar Vagaev
• Featherweight: Daniel Santos vs. Bolaji Oki
• Lightweight: Noah Gugnon vs. Kody Steele 
• Women’s Strawweight: Nicolle Caliari vs. Iasmin Lucindo

UFC 333 Betting Odds & Prop Markets

Moneyline and Full Card Odds

• Featherweight: Alexander Volkanovski (c) -111 vs. Movsar Evloev -109
• Bantamweight: Petr Yan (c) -155 vs. Merab Dvalishvili +135
• Flyweight: Ramazan Temirov -112 vs. Lone’er Kavanagh -108
• Heavyweight: Rizvan Kuniev +100 vs. Alexander Volkov -120
• Featherweight: Losene Keita +112 vs. Aaron Pico -132
• Light Heavyweight: Dominick Reyes +181 vs. Azamat Murzakanov -216
• Light Heavyweight: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev -525 vs. Nikita Krylov +400
• Middleweight: Cam Rowston +105 vs. Abus Magomedov -125
• Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev -110 vs. Grant Dawson -110
• Bantamweight: Asaf Chopurov -600 vs. Colby Thicknesse +447
• Middleweight: Jacob Malkoun +135 vs. Abubakar Vagaev -155
• Featherweight: Daniel Santos -124 vs. Bolaji Oki +105
• Lightweight: Noah Gugnon +135 vs. Kody Steele -155
• Women’s Strawweight: Nicolle Caliari +301 vs. Iasmin Lucindo -377

Method of Victory Props

• The main event is a tossup with Evloev a negative-money underdog. The OVER 4.5 rounds is heavily juiced with both fighters comfortable going the distance, though five rounds is newer to the challenger. 
• Since the straight moneyline is a near pick’em, method of victory props offer the best way to find betting value.
• The co-main event features fighters who are comfortable waiting out opponents, including each other. The two previous fights went the distance with each recording a win. There is value backing Dvalishvili, who has a bone to pick in this one.

Round Betting Over/Under Lines

• Because the two main fights feature pace-setters and dominant decision fighters, the round props are priced at a premium.
• Many fights in the preliminary cards will feature higher finish rates in the early rounds. The Dominick Reyes vs. Azamat Murzakanov bout is a target with a compressed line of 1.5 rounds.

How to Watch UFC 333: Live Stream & Broadcast Times

• UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev streams exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States. Under the current broadcast agreement there is no pay-per-view fee required. 
• All 14 scheduled fights are included with any standard subscription.

Main Card & Preliminary Start Times

• Because UFC 333 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, it features a much earlier daytime broadcast schedule for fans in North America.
• Early prelims are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT
• The four-fight preliminary card will begin at 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT
• The main card with two championship bouts will start at approximately 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT.
• The entire scheduled fight card is available on Paramount+.