UFC 333: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev, main card predictions
· Yahoo Sports
After a stellar UFC Edmonton card filled with upsets and highlight-reel knockouts, the UFC is back on the road for arguably the best card of 2026.
It’s UFC 333 fight week as MMA’s leading league heads to Abu Dhabi, bringing a stacked fight card from top to bottom.
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In the main event, featherweight champion and eventual UFC Hall of Famer Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his title against No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev.
In the co-main, the trilogy, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili settle the score. The two top bantamweights enter fight three at 1-1, with Yan winning last time out and reclaiming gold.
Major stakes loom for each title fight, and the high-stakes action doesn’t stop there. Here’s a preview and prediction for each main card bout on UFC 333.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev
Mar 20, 2026; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Movsar Evloev of Russia at weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)After reclaiming his featherweight title and defending it against Diego Lopes, Volkanovski faces the next best in the world. Movsar Evloev is 20-0 and has excellent wrestling and top control.
Luckily, Volkanovski has dealt with elite top pressure before, facing current welterweight champ Islam Makhachev twice. While Volk went 0-2 against Makhachev, he proved he can get up and back to his feet.
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Now, against Evloev, the top pressure is elite, but there isn’t a size advantage over Volk that Makhachev had.
On the feet, this shouldn’t be close; Volkanovski’s timing, footwork, and all-around striking should be problematic for Evloev.
Volkanovski has a reputation for not being able to be held down; if that holds up in this fight, it’ll be one-way traffic.
Final prediction: Alexander Volkanovski via unanimous decision
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili
Dec 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Merab Dvalishvili (red gloves) fights Petr Yan (blue gloves) during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)This has to be the hardest fight to pick on the card. Both fighters dominated their wins against each other.
Dvalishvili’s forward pressure and exhausting takedown attempts will likely be a bigger factor than last time out. In his last fight, Dvalishvili was going for a fourth title defense in one year and seemed to have run out of gas.
That doesn’t take away from Yan’s performance, though. He improved his takedown defense and outclassed Dvalishvili on the feet, especially with body shots.
Now that Dvalishvili has had a bit of a layoff, certainly by his standards, he should be well rested for this matchup.
The third chapter won’t be as one-sided as the first two. Yan will be more prepared than ever for Merab’s pace, and Merab should be able to let loose a little more and try to overwhelm Yan.
Ultimately, if this fight’s not primarily on the ground, Yan should have the advantage.
Final prediction: Petr Yan via split decision
Lone’er Kavanaugh vs Ramazan Temirov (flyweight)
Mar 22, 2025; London, England, United Kingdom; Lone’er Kavanagh (red gloves) fights against Felipe dos Santos (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)A win propels either fighter into a big-time matchup towards the top of the division.
This fight has the most highlight-reel potential on the card. Kavanaugh is a clean striker who thrives at distance and has exceptional technique.
Temirov is a wrecking ball, with constant forward pressure and throws heat on every punch.
As Kavanaugh has faced stiffer competition, it’s become clear he’s at his worst when backed up against the cage. That’s music to Temirov’s ears and will be a major piece of his game plan.
That said, Temirov leaves himself open as his opponent comes in recklessly. While Kavanaugh has struggled on the back foot, he’s the best striker Temirov has faced and can land short power punches to hurt Temirov.
Final prediction: Lone’er Kavanaugh via third-round TKO
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev (heavyweight)
Dec 7, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Ciryl Gane (red gloves) hugs Alexander Volkov (blues gloves) after their fight at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect (Reuters)A massive fight in a heavyweight division that will be on full display to close out the year. Volkov can finally earn a title shot with a victory. Kuniev can skyrocket towards the top of the division and face another top-ranked contender.
Volkov’s lateral movement will be the difference in this fight. Kuniev thrives in the clinch and with his opponent’s back to the cage, but it’s going to be hard for him to get Volkov in those spots.
Standing 6’7, Volkov will stay on the outside. He’ll use his long frame to keep Kuniev at a distance and pepper him with jabs and straight punches.
Final prediction: Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision
Aaron Pico vs. Losene Keita (featherweight)
Aug 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES; Aaron Pico during weigh ins for UFC 319 at Radius Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Pico and Keita are both 1-1 in the UFC, but Pico has years of experience outside the UFC, fighting at the top of Bellator.
Pico gets this matchup after Arnold Allen pulls out, and while Keita isn’t as good as Allen, he may be a more dangerous matchup.
Keita is an explosive striker who will look to keep the pressure forward, and Pico has a reputation for a weak chin.
The biggest question is how well Keita is equipped to handle Pico’s outstanding wrestling. Keita hasn’t yet proven he can defend takedowns from a high-level wrestler, and Pico will test that if he gets the chance.
While both are young in UFC experience, Pico is the more well-rounded, technical fighter and won’t take too many risks against Keita.
Final prediction: Aaron Pico via unanimous decision
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