Thicknesse vs Chopurov at UFC 333: Volkanovski's teammate meets Petr Yan's
The early prelims bantamweight bout mirrors the two title fights, with each man training alongside a UFC 333 headliner.
One of the first fights at UFC 333 has a link to both title bouts. Australian bantamweight Colby Thicknesse trains with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, and his opponent Asaf Chopurov trains alongside bantamweight champion Petr Yan, Heavy reported when the fight was booked in September.
UFC.com lists the bout on the early prelims, which start at 10am New York time, or 6pm in the UAE, on Saturday 24 October at Etihad Arena.
Thicknesse is a former HEX Fight Series champion who was unbeaten before joining the UFC. He lost his debut on points to Aleksandre Topuria at UFC 312 in February 2025, then beat Josias Musasa and Vince Morales, both by unanimous decision, per Heavy.
Chopurov, who represents Azerbaijan, makes his UFC debut unbeaten as a professional. He won the vacant UAE Warriors bantamweight title against Demarte Pena and defended it twice in 2026, finishing Adriano Ramos and Reece McLaren in the first round. Heavy says he lost only once in 36 amateur and professional fights combined.
That UAE Warriors run means Chopurov is used to Abu Dhabi crowds, while Thicknesse brings UFC experience and a three-round decision game. With their training partners fighting later the same night, both camps will have plenty at stake on fight night.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Heavy, UFC.com, Cageside Press
