UFC 333’s Abu Dhabi spotlight: Can Temirov, Yakhyaev and Chopurov turn chances into career-changing momentum?

UFC returns to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi for UFC 333 on Saturday, Oct. 24, and the promotion is framing the night around more than the two championship fights. In its preview, UFC’s “Fighters on the Rise” series highlights three competitors it says are aiming to use the event’s biggest stage as leverage to move up their divisions.

Ramazan Temirov, a 29-year-old flyweight from Uzbekistan, is set for a featured matchup against Lone’er Kavanagh. UFC’s preview characterizes the bout as a key positioning fight in the 125-pound title chase, noting Temirov’s unbeaten Octagon run in 2026 and emphasizing his finishing power and speed, including a first-round knockout of former title challenger Steve Erceg earlier in the year.

UFC also describes the Temirov-Kavanagh matchup as a chance for both men to sharpen their “contender class” resumes. The promotion points to Kavanagh’s 2026 breakout, including a win over Brandon Moreno and a Fight of the Night performance against Brandon Royval, as context for why a Temirov victory could carry additional ranking relevance.

In the light heavyweight division, Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev gets a test against Nikita Krylov, a longtime top-15-level opponent UFC portrays as the type who can disrupt a prospect’s momentum. According to UFC, Yakhyaev’s early UFC stretch has included rapid finishes across multiple fights and an overall run of consecutive victories, while positioning Krylov as an experienced counterweight for a fighter seeking to translate streak momentum into rankings traction.

UFC’s preview suggests that a Yakhyaev win would do more than extend the record. It frames the larger picture as earning a stronger place in the division’s media rankings and, with four wins in 12 months after joining the promotion, potentially pushing his profile toward future title contention.

Opening the featured early segment of the card, UFC’s third spotlight goes to bantamweight newcomer Asaf Chopurov, an undefeated 24-year-old who will face Colby Thicknesse. UFC ties Chopurov’s current opportunity to his training partnership environment, including his association with champion Petr Yan, while also pointing to his amateur pedigree and a pro record that it describes as evenly split between knockouts and submissions.

UFC’s preview also portrays Thicknesse as a credible first test for Chopurov, citing Thicknesse’s consecutive wins to begin his UFC tenure after an initial short-notice loss. The implication in UFC’s write-up is that Chopurov needs a strong performance to justify an expedited rise in the 135-pound division.

The event is scheduled with prelims at staggered times in the U.S., with UFC stating early prelim coverage at 10 a.m. ET, followed by additional prelim coverage at 12 p.m. ET, and the main card at 2 p.m. ET, live on Paramount+ in the United States.