UFC 333 takes place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with two championship fights anchoring the card.
Alexander Volkanovski will defend the UFC featherweight title against unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev in the main event, while Petr Yan faces Merab Dvalishvili in a bantamweight title trilogy bout.
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UFC 333 start time and location
The event is being held at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
For viewers in Eastern Time, the early prelims are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., followed by the prelims at noon and the main card at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24.
The official UFC listing identifies Paramount+ as the streaming platform for the event in the United States, with the early prelims also available through UFC Fight Pass.
| Portion of card | Start time | United States viewing information |
|---|---|---|
| Early prelims | 10 a.m. ET | Paramount+ and UFC Fight Pass |
| Prelims | Noon ET | Paramount+ |
| Main card | 2 p.m. ET | Paramount+ |
Volkanovski faces unbeaten Evloev
Volkanovski enters the main event as the reigning featherweight champion and is seeking another successful defence against Evloev, who brings an undefeated record into the title opportunity.
The UFC’s official preview lists Volkanovski at 28-4 and Evloev at 20-0 heading into the five-round championship fight.
Volkanovski is attempting to add to his record as one of the division’s most accomplished champions, while Evloev is fighting for his first UFC title.
The matchup pits Volkanovski’s championship experience against Evloev’s unbeaten run and high-level grappling game.
Yan and Dvalishvili meet for a third time
The co-main event features another five-round title fight between bantamweight champion Petr Yan and former champion Merab Dvalishvili.
The bout is the third meeting between the two fighters and gives Dvalishvili another chance to reclaim the championship.
Yan is listed by the UFC as a two-time bantamweight champion, while Dvalishvili returns to challenge for the belt after previously holding the division’s top spot.
The trilogy adds a second championship storyline to an event already built around a major featherweight title defence.
Full UFC 333 main card
The main card includes five scheduled bouts, with both title fights at the top of the lineup.
- Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev — UFC featherweight championship
- Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili — UFC bantamweight championship
- Lone’er Kavanagh vs. Ramazan Temirov — flyweight
- Alexander Volkov vs. Rizvan Kuniev — heavyweight
- Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita — featherweight
Volkov and Kuniev meet in a heavyweight contest involving two ranked contenders, while Kavanagh and Temirov are scheduled to compete in a flyweight matchup.
The opening main-card fight sends Aaron Pico against Losene Keita in a featherweight bout.
Preliminary bouts to watch
The preliminary card is scheduled to feature Azamat Murzakanov against Dominick Reyes, Nikita Krylov against Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev, Abus Magomedov against Cam Rowston and Grant Dawson against Nurullo Aliev.
The early prelims are scheduled to include Colby Thicknesse against Asaf Chopurov, Abubakar Vagaev against Jacob Malkoun, Bolaji Oki against Daniel Santos and Kody Steele against Noah Gugnon.
The UFC’s official weigh-in listing says the main event and co-main event are scheduled for five rounds, with the remaining fights set for three rounds.
What comes next
The most immediate stakes are title control in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions.
A Volkanovski victory would strengthen his position at the top of the featherweight class, while an Evloev win would give the undefeated challenger his first UFC championship.
The Yan-Dvalishvili result could also determine whether the bantamweight division moves toward a new contender or another title defence for the reigning champion.
As of the newsroom’s 5 a.m. Eastern Time update on Saturday, October 24, the event had not yet begun.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is UFC 333 taking place?
UFC 333 is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
What time does UFC 333 start?
The early prelims are scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, the prelims for noon ET and the main card for 2 p.m. ET.
Who is fighting in the UFC 333 main event?
Alexander Volkanovski is scheduled to defend the UFC featherweight championship against unbeaten challenger Movsar Evloev.
Who is fighting in the UFC 333 co-main event?
Petr Yan is scheduled to defend the bantamweight title against former champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Where can viewers watch UFC 333?
The UFC lists Paramount+ as the U.S. streaming platform, with the early prelims also available on UFC Fight Pass.
Fact-Checked: Key event details, scheduled fights, timing and viewing information were checked against UFC’s official event and weigh-in information.
Disclaimer: Fight cards, start times and broadcast arrangements can change before or during the event.