UFC 333 Staff Picks: Featherweight Gold is on the Line in Abu Dhabi

In the co-main event, Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili collide in an epic trilogy contest with bantamweight gold up for grabs.  

UFC 333 Main Event

Taking back his strap last year, Volkanovski has continued to shine as a luminary on the pound-for-pound rankings after making a successful championship defense over Diego Lopes earlier this year. Should “The Great” manage to push away the hungry Russian contender, then there can be no doubt that he is, without a doubt, the greatest 145-lb champion of all time.

On his conquest toward the main event of UFC 333, Evloev has bested premier names in his division such as Arnold Allen, Aljamian Sterling, and, most recently, Lerone Murphy. Almost untested at 20-0, the European juggernaut is aiming to dethrone the dominant Aussie in an all-time upset.

UFC 333 Co-Main Event

At the Meta Apex in 2023, Yan came out on the wrong end of a lop-sided decision loss to Dvalishvili, who seemingly had no answer for the Georgian’s elite wrestling. Then, off the back of a three-fight win streak, “No Mercy” exacted his revenge on his former foe at UFC 323 by ripping his belt away in a blowout performance. Set to settle the score with his rival this weekend, the 135-lb king will stop at nothing to send his challenger home empty-handed.

After a landmark run of three straight defenses, Dvalishvili’s epic 2025 ended on a sour note after dropping his throne to his nemesis Yan. Coming back to the Octagon after nearly a year layoff, “The Machine” is seeking to add two-time champion to his resume at UFC 333.

More Bouts on the UFC 333 Main Card

Rounding out the main card, Lone'er Kavanagh battles Ramazan Temirov. Also, Alexander Volkov locks horns with Rizvan Kuniev. Finally, Aaron Pico throws down with Losene Keita.  

UFC 333 Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

• UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.

• PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.

• ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.

Find our UFC 333 picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after UFC Edmonton:

1. Hank Strandberg: 211-104

2. Drew Zuhosky: 162-155

3. Frazer Krohn: 150-124

4. Andrew Benjamin: 29-27

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

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Aaron Pico -151

Vs.

Losene Keita +129

FEATHERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Keita by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Pico by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Kron: Keita by First-Round Knockout

Staff picking Pico: 1

Staff picking Keita: 2

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Alexander Volkov -119

Vs.

Rizvan Kuniev +102

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Volkov by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Volkov by First-Round Knockout

Frazer Kron: Volkov by Split Decision

Staff picking Volkov: 2

Staff picking Kuniev: 1

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Lone'er Kavanagh -117

Vs.

Ramazan Temirov +100

FLYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Temirov by Second-Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Kavanagh by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Kavanagh by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Kavanagh: 2

Staff picking Temirov: 1

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Petr Yan -155

Vs.

Merab Dvalishvili +132

BANTAMWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Yan by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Dvalishvili by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Kron: Yan by Second-Round Knockout

Staff picking Yan: 2

Staff picking Dvalishvili: 1

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Movsar Evloev -113

Vs.

Alexander Volkanovski -103

FEATHERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg:Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Volkanovski by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Kron: Evloev by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Volkanovski: 2

Staff picking Evloev: 1