UFC 333 takes place today, Oct. 24, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against undefeated Movsar Evloev in the main event. The main card starts at 2 p.m. ET and 11 a.m. PT on Paramount+, and it is not a pay per view. Early prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET, and the main event is expected around 4:30 p.m. ET.
That is the schedule. The stakes are harder to fit on a clock.
What is at stake for Volkanovski at UFC 333?
History. A win would give Volkanovski his ninth victory in UFC featherweight title fights, one more than Brazilian great Jose Aldo. He is on his second run as the 145 pound champion at age 38, and this is the second defense of that second reign. He has lost only three times in 18 UFC fights, and two of those came against Islam Makhachev.
Volkanovski says the record books are not the point. He told BBC Sport that belts and title defense counts do not drive him, and that challenges do. He also said he enjoys hearing people call him old, because proving them wrong is half the fun.
Why is Movsar Evloev so dangerous?
Evloev has never lost. He walks in with a perfect 20 and 0 record and a style built to drown opponents. He averages nearly five takedowns per fight and spent roughly two years pushing for this title shot.
CBS Sports analysts note that Evloev brings size, a relentless motor and a grappling game that could wear down an older champion in the late rounds. The catch is finishing. He has stopped just three opponents with strikes, and none of those came in the UFC. If he wins, it likely goes the distance.
Who is favored in Volkanovski vs. Evloev?
Nobody agrees. Sportsbooks have the fight dead even, with both men listed at minus 110. The CBS Sports expert panel split three to two in favor of Volkanovski, with every pick going to a decision.
The scale was close too. Volkanovski weighed in at 144.5 pounds, and Evloev came in a half pound heavier at 145.
What else is on the UFC 333 card?
The second title fight of the night is personal. Bantamweight champion Petr Yan meets Merab Dvalishvili for a third time, with each man already holding a win over the other. The main card also features Lone’er Kavanagh against Ramazan Temirov, Alexander Volkov against Rizvan Kuniev and Aaron Pico against Losene Keita.
How can fans watch UFC 333?
Paramount+ carries the full event with no extra fee. Plans start at $8.99 a month, and the service does not offer a free trial. Variety notes that Walmart+ includes Paramount+ as a perk. DirecTV’s Premier package also carries Paramount+ for cord cutters.
What happens when the cage door closes?
Two things cannot both survive Saturday night.
Either Volkanovski proves once again that experience beats youth, passes Aldo and stands alone in featherweight history. Or Evloev drags a champion into deep water, keeps his perfect record and takes the belt home, leaving the age questions Volkanovski keeps daring people to ask hanging in the air.
Five rounds. One cage. One zero, or one legacy.
By the time the sun sets on the East Coast, we find out which one breaks.
