UFC 333 in Malaysia time: Volkanovski defends against unbeaten Evloev, Yan meets Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi
UFC 333 at Etihad Arena on 24 October has two title fights: Volkanovski v Evloev and Yan v Dvalishvili 3. The main card starts at 2am Sunday, Malaysia time.
UFC 333 comes to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday 24 October 2026 with two title fights on the main card. Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends against unbeaten Movsar Evloev, and bantamweight champion Petr Yan faces Merab Dvalishvili for the third time.
For fans in Malaysia, the main card starts at 2am on Sunday 25 October.
Start times in Malaysia time
- Early prelims: 10pm Saturday 24 October
- Prelims: 12am Sunday 25 October
- Main card: 2am Sunday 25 October
These times convert from the listed start times of 2pm, 4pm and 6pm UTC. Local time in Abu Dhabi is four hours behind Malaysia.
Main card
- Featherweight title: Alexander Volkanovski (champion) v Movsar Evloev
- Bantamweight title: Petr Yan (champion) v Merab Dvalishvili
- Flyweight: Lone'er Kavanagh v Ramazan Temirov
- Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov v Rizvan Kuniev
A bout between Pico and Keita is also on the main card, according to the UFC's preview. The weight class was not stated.
Volkanovski v Evloev
Volkanovski regained the featherweight belt in 2025 and defended it earlier this year against Diego Lopes in Sydney. Evloev is 20-0 overall and 10-0 in the UFC. The 32-year-old has no finish inside the Octagon, which makes his run a talking point among fans.
Yan v Dvalishvili 3
The pair are level at one win each. Dvalishvili won a decision in March 2023. Yan took the title back at UFC 323 in December 2025, ending a 14-fight winning streak for Dvalishvili. Yan, 20-5, has won four fights in a row.
Key undercard names
Light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov faces Dominick Reyes on the prelims. Nikita Krylov takes on Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev, and Grant Dawson meets Nurullo Aliev at lightweight.
Why the card matters
Volkanovski has been one of the sport's most successful featherweights, and defending the belt against an unbeaten challenger tests that record. Evloev has never lost as a professional, though he has not finished an opponent in the UFC. His most recent win was a majority decision over Lerone Murphy in London.
The co-main event carries its own weight. Dvalishvili held the bantamweight title before losing it to Yan at UFC 323, and the rematch decides who leads the three-fight series. Yan has won four straight and Dvalishvili is the number one contender.
How the card is laid out
The prelims include several bouts at middleweight, bantamweight and strawweight, among them Abus Magomedov v Cam Rowston, Colby Thicknesse v Asaf Chopurov and Iasmin Lucindo v Nicolle Caliari. Grant Dawson v Nurullo Aliev is a lightweight bout.
Key takeaways
- UFC 333 is on 24 October at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
- Two world titles are on the line.
- Evloev brings a 20-0 record into his title shot.
- The main card starts at 2am Sunday in Malaysia.
FAQ
Q: What time is UFC 333 in Malaysia? The main card begins at 2am on Sunday 25 October, Malaysia time. Prelims start at 12am and early prelims at 10pm on Saturday.
Q: Who headlines UFC 333? Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces Movsar Evloev in the main event. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili fight for the bantamweight title in the co-main event.
Q: What is Movsar Evloev's record? Evloev is 20-0 as a professional, including 10 wins in the UFC.
Sources: UFC, Khaleej Times, UFCTime, Yahoo Sports