UFC 333 is the biggest show the organization has ever staged in Abu Dhabi. Dana White said more than 50 percent of the sold-out Etihad Arena crowd had flown in from outside the UAE for Saturday night’s card, a figure he tied directly to the city’s international pull.
“Tonight was the highest attendance for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi history. Highest gate,” White told reporters after the event, according to Arab News.
The UFC chief used the night to tease another show in the capital, saying plans were already underway for an event he described as unlike anything previously held in the city.
“I plan to have lots of great events here in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Read also: Real Madrid make dramatic Ballon d’Or U-turn after two-year boycott – with Mbappe in the spotlight
Volkanovski ends Evloev’s unbeaten run
Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title in the main event, stopping Movsar Evloev by TKO at 4:54 of the second round. The result handed Evloev the first defeat of his professional career, according to the official UFC results.
The Australian has now fought five times in Abu Dhabi.
“Abu Dhabi is always great. I get treated so well over here,” Volkanovski told reporters after the win, per Arab News.
Yan takes 48-47 decision over Dvalishvili
In the co-main event, Petr Yan retained his bantamweight title with a unanimous-decision win over Merab Dvalishvili. All three judges scored it 48-47.
Read also: Bruno Fernandes sparks fresh Man Utd controversy with cryptic Instagram move after Carrick snub
Elsewhere on the main card, Lone’er Kavanagh stopped Ramazan Temirov inside the first round, Alexander Volkov outpointed Rizvan Kuniev, and Aaron Pico finished Losene Keita in 1:14 of the opening round.
Partnership with Abu Dhabi dates to 2010
The record night extends a long-running arrangement between the UFC and the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi. The UFC first staged a card in the emirate in 2010 and has returned regularly since, most recently with a Fight Night on 25 July 2026 at the same arena, as the organization confirmed in its event announcement.
White has not named the next date for a card in the capital, saying only that he is working on a one-of-a-kind event aimed at drawing fans from around the world.
Read also: Kane is the favourite as the Ballon d’Or leaves France for the first time in 70 years
