UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev · Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 · Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · Early prelims 10 AM ET, prelims 12 PM ET, main card 2 PM ET (UFC.com)
These are Art C's UFC 333 picks, predictions and best bets for all 14 fights, taken from his UFC 333 Best Bets stream. The card runs in UFC.com order below, from the Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev featherweight title fight down to the first bout on the early prelims. Every pick, method and bet is Art's own. Where Art passed or left a fight open, this post says so.
About the prices: Every price below is the price Art quoted on the stream, with the stream timestamp in brackets (h:mm:ss). Lines move and prices vary by sportsbook, so check the current number before betting. Where Art named the sportsbook, the book is given with the price.
For the full tape breakdowns: Volkanovski vs Evloev prediction and breakdown · Yan vs Dvalishvili 3 prediction and breakdown · UFC 333 Tape Index: every career bout with film links
UFC 333 picks at a glance
- Volkanovski vs Evloev: Movsar Evloev by decision
- Yan vs Dvalishvili: Petr Yan by decision
- Kavanagh vs Temirov: Ramazan Temirov, leaning to a finish
- Volkov vs Kuniev: Alexander Volkov by decision
- Pico vs Keita: Aaron Pico, KO or decision
- Murzakanov vs Reyes: Azamat Murzakanov by KO
- Krylov vs Yakhyaev: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev by KO
- Magomedov vs Rowston: Abus Magomedov by KO
- Dawson vs Aliev: Nurullo Aliev by decision
- Thicknesse vs Chopurov: lean Asaf Chopurov, no bet (pass)
- Vagaev vs Malkoun: Abubakar Vagaev by decision
- Oki vs Santos: Bolaji Oki by KO (low confidence)
- Steele vs Gugnon: Kody Steele by submission
- Lucindo vs Caliari: Iasmin Lucindo by decision
Volkanovski vs Evloev Prediction & Best Bets
Main event · Featherweight title · Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs Movsar Evloev
Pick: Movsar Evloev by decision, with an Evloev KO "live". Art had leaned Volkanovski for months and switched to Evloev after the tape: “I'm picking evlove here. I think that he wins” (1:58:32).
Why: Volkanovski is an outside, in-and-out point fighter whose power comes from planted counters on opponents who chase him. The closest test of this matchup is the first Islam Makhachev fight, where Volkanovski defended well but still lost. Art hasn't seen Volkanovski handle open-mat double legs and level changes like Evloev's. About a quarter of Volkanovski's significant strikes are leg kicks, Evloev loves catching kicks, and Volkanovski's 1-2 entries give Evloev level changes underneath. Evloev also has heavy ground and pound and no cardio questions over five rounds.
Best bets:
- Evloev moneyline -108 (1:58:43). Art prefers the moneyline to Evloev by decision at +125.
- Evloev most takedowns -360 at BetRivers (2:00:57). Art called it “a gift” (2:01:03).
- Volkanovski under 1.5 takedowns +105 at BetRivers (2:00:49).
- Value: Evloev by KO +1000 (1:58:59).
- Long shots: same-game parlays pairing Volkanovski most significant strikes with Evloev to win in Round 3, 4 or 5.
Go deeper: Volkanovski vs Evloev prediction and tape breakdown · Volkanovski vs Evloev stats comparison · UFC 333 Tape Index
Yan vs Dvalishvili 3 Prediction & Best Bets
Co-main event · Bantamweight title · Petr Yan (c) vs Merab Dvalishvili
Pick: Petr Yan by decision, though Art said it wouldn't surprise him if Yan finally puts Dvalishvili away. He expects Yan's body shots to set up the head.
Why: Across their two fights Dvalishvili attempted 78 takedowns and landed about 13, and Art counts the actual control time at "maybe a minute". Yan's single-leg defense is excellent and he gets straight back up. Dvalishvili needs takedowns and top control; without them he has to outstrike Yan, and his striking is loopy and hittable to the body. Art sees his only real path as a very close, volume-based decision. The market has moved from the +400 Yan price last time to about -150, and Art still likes the price (1:47:53).
Best bets:
- Yan finish only (pushes if it goes to decision). Art: “So I like Peter Yan. I like finish only” (1:53:43).
- Yan moneyline -142 (1:51:44) if finish only isn't available. Art prefers it to Yan by decision: “better off just taking his moneyline than trying to get cute” (1:51:52).
- Long shot: Dvalishvili by split decision +900 (1:51:07), which Art called Dvalishvili's win equity.
Go deeper: Yan vs Dvalishvili 3 prediction and tape breakdown · Yan vs Dvalishvili stats comparison
Kavanagh vs Temirov Prediction & Best Bets
Main card · Flyweight · Lone’er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov
Pick: Ramazan Temirov, on the matchup. Art leans to a Temirov finish, most likely in Round 1, but a Temirov decision wouldn't surprise him.
Why: Kavanagh is the better technical striker, but he is stationary, sits down on his punches, drops his hands on the exit and moves straight back under pressure. Temirov is short and stocky, a “Tasmanian devil” (1:41:02) who stays outside and darts in with power, the same movement that beat Charles Johnson. Art expects little grappling, and the bigger cage suits Temirov.
Best bets:
- Temirov Round 1 only: “that's probably the best bet here in this fight” (1:43:40).
- Temirov finish only if your book has it. Otherwise Temirov moneyline, priced around pick'em (1:42:41).
- Live: be ready to bet Kavanagh live if he makes Temirov work (1:44:05).
Stats: Kavanagh vs Temirov stats comparison
Volkov vs Kuniev Prediction & Best Bets
Main card · Heavyweight · Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev
Pick: Alexander Volkov by decision: “I think he outpoints him” (1:30:38).
Why: Kuniev's best attributes are size, strength and takedown defense, and his striking is clinch work and hooks. Volkov is the longer, more technical striker who point-fought Waldo Cortes-Acosta with the jab and outside low kicks, and about 20% of his strikes go to the legs. Kuniev's chin makes a Volkov finish less likely, and Kuniev is live for a big shot in the clinch. Volkov is very durable.
Best bets:
- Volkov most significant strikes -148 (1:35:49). Art: “I think it's a great price” (1:36:32).
- Volkov decision only -125, compared with his moneyline at -118 (1:26:28).
- Lean: Volkov over 51.5 significant strikes (1:38:18).
- Long shot: same-game parlay of Volkov most significant strikes + Kuniev to win + fight ends by KO, +2200 (1:34:37).
Stats: Volkov vs Kuniev stats comparison
Pico vs Keita Prediction & Best Bets
Main card · Featherweight · Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita
Pick: Aaron Pico. Art is torn between a Pico KO and a decision, and his parlay picks list has Pico by decision.
Why: Art thinks the concerns about Pico's chin are overblown. Pico was caught coming in recklessly against Lerone Murphy, then adjusted against Patrício Pitbull: measured, boxing first, working the body, high guard tight, taking takedowns when they came. Keita's win over Naimov was impressive, but he is on short notice, he lost a 15-minute striking fight to Nathaniel Wood, and weaker regional opponents have taken him down. Art sees few paths for Keita.
Best bets:
- Pico decision only -143 at BetRivers (1:18:53). Art calls it safer than the moneyline because it protects against a Keita KO.
- Pico moneyline is fine (1:18:38).
Stats: Pico vs Keita stats comparison
Murzakanov vs Reyes Prediction & Best Bets
Prelims · Light heavyweight · Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes
Pick: Azamat Murzakanov by KO, early.
Why: Art calls the close line recency bias, with Murzakanov off a head-kick KO of Paulo Costa and Reyes off a win over Johnny Walker. Art's statement on Reyes: “his chin is gone” (1:05:28). Ryan Spann clipped him instantly, and he never looked the same after Jiří Procházka's spinning elbow. Fifteen minutes is too long for Reyes to avoid getting caught; if Reyes wins, it is by long-range movement to a decision.
Best bets:
- Murzakanov by KO -125 (1:06:18), Art's main play.
- Murzakanov finish only: Art doesn't mind it (1:07:28).
- If nothing else, Murzakanov moneyline at about -200 to -205 (1:08:25).
Stats: Murzakanov vs Reyes stats comparison
Krylov vs Yakhyaev Prediction & Best Bets
Prelims · Light heavyweight · Nikita Krylov vs Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev
Pick: Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev by KO, early, likely Round 1. For Art this fight is Yakhyaev or pass.
Why: Krylov looks slow, leads with his head, dives in and is very hittable, and Art thinks his chin is done; Dominick Reyes caught him with the jab as he jumped in. Art doesn't see why Yakhyaev would grapple a big Krylov. The issue is the price: the moneyline and the -3.5 are too expensive to bet straight.
Best bets:
- Yakhyaev by KO -130 (0:58:49).
- Yakhyaev decision only -195 (0:57:33), as a parlay leg that pushes if Yakhyaev finishes the fight.
- Long shot: Yakhyaev by KO in under 0.5 rounds +390 (1:00:10). Art said he was tempted to play it as a small sprinkle (1:03:32).
Stats: Krylov vs Yakhyaev stats comparison
Magomedov vs Rowston Prediction & Best Bets
Prelims · Middleweight · Abus Magomedov vs Cam Rowston
Pick: Abus Magomedov by KO. Art isn't confident in the method, since Magomedov could also submit Rowston or win a decision, and he expects a hot first round.
Why: Magomedov has never been taken down. He out-grappled Joe Pyfer, and Art thinks he is “better everywhere” (0:47:15), striking included. Rowston's tall-man defense, chin up and eating outside leg kicks, hasn't been tested by a hitter like this. The worry is Magomedov's cardio: he won Round 1 and lost Round 2 against both Sean Strickland and Pyfer, so the bets lean early.
Best bets:
- Magomedov Round 1 only -185: “probably a great look” (0:50:20). Art also takes the Magomedov Round 1 spread.
- Magomedov finish only, about -140 and “still playable” (0:52:30).
- Magomedov +3.5 rounds -190 (0:54:18).
Stats: Magomedov vs Rowston stats comparison
Dawson vs Aliev Prediction & Best Bets
Prelims · Lightweight · Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev
Pick: Nurullo Aliev by decision. A 30-27 wouldn't shock Art.
Why: Art fades Dawson against anyone with takedown defense. Dawson gets hurt in almost every fight, including KO losses to Manuel Torres and Bobby Green. His path is takedowns, a body lock and the back, and he needs 10+ minutes of control to win. Aliev controlled Mike Davis, a good anti-grappler, and can either out-grapple Dawson or keep it standing and hurt him. The risks are Aliev's cardio and Dawson's late scrambles.
Best bets:
- Aliev +3.5 rounds -190 (0:42:05).
- Aliev by decision +200 (0:44:59), which is also a leg of both ShootForTheMoon parlays below.
- Insurance: Dawson by submission in Rounds 2-3 +1000 (0:43:39). Art calls it more of an insurance play.
- Live: bet Dawson live if Aliev fades or can't land takedowns.
Stats: Dawson vs Aliev stats comparison
Thicknesse vs Chopurov Prediction: Pass
Early prelims · Bantamweight · Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov
Pick: Soft lean to Asaf Chopurov, whose tape Art didn't get to. His assumption is that Chopurov “runs the room” (0:32:11). No method.
Why: Chopurov is a big favorite on his UFC debut, and his regional finishes are hard to judge. Thicknesse trains with Volkanovski and keeps improving; Art once tried to fade him against Vince Morales and calls that a very close fight.
Best bets: Pass. Art said he would only be handicapping off Wikipedia at this point (0:32:47). A live bet is possible if a playable line appears.
Vagaev vs Malkoun Prediction & Best Bets
Early prelims · Middleweight · Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun
Pick: Abubakar Vagaev by decision. Art says he didn't go deep on Vagaev's tape.
Why: Malkoun is mainly a wrestler. Against Gerald Meerschaert he was reversed off a guillotine and controlled for more than four minutes with nothing off his back. On the feet he leads with his head, and Art thinks he eventually gets knocked out. Vagaev, moving up from 170 to 185, has fast entries, and many of his decision wins went five rounds, so cardio isn't a worry. If Vagaev is the better wrestler, Art says you have to take him.
Best bets:
- Fight goes the distance -275 (0:25:41): “probably pretty safe”.
- Vagaev by decision +100 (0:24:52), with his moneyline at -160.
- Vagaev decision only -190 (0:27:33).
- Live: watch the first grappling exchange to see who is stronger in the clinch.
Stats: Vagaev vs Malkoun stats comparison
Oki vs Santos Prediction & Best Bets
Early prelims · Featherweight · Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos
Pick: Bolaji Oki by KO, low confidence. Art picks Oki “for the sake of making a pick” (0:19:50).
Why: Oki is a very good striker dropping from 155 to 145 with a size and power edge, though Art questions whether the power carries down, and Oki slows and has been finished in later rounds. Santos is wily, comes from behind and has the better jiu-jitsu, but he is hittable and has been dropped.
Best bets:
- Oki Round 1 only (0:19:35), which pushes if the fight reaches Round 2. Art prefers it to the Oki moneyline.
- Oki Round 1 spread +135 (0:17:55).
- Live: bet Daniel Santos live if it gets to Round 2 or Oki slows down.
Stats: Oki vs Santos stats comparison
Steele vs Gugnon Prediction & Best Bets
Early prelims · Lightweight · Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon
Pick: Kody Steele by submission. Art expects it to end inside the distance, and a KO wouldn't surprise him.
Why: Steele improves fight to fight, has shown a very good chin, and brings power plus a dangerous heel-hook game. Gugnon's last win showed a real grappling edge, but Art likes Steele's wrestling and grappling in this matchup.
Best bets:
- Steele moneyline at about -150 to -155 (0:12:13), “probably the safest best value” (0:14:38).
- Steele finish only, -196 to -210 (0:12:23 and 0:12:39).
Stats: Steele vs Gugnon stats comparison
Lucindo vs Caliari Prediction & Best Bets
Early prelims · Women's strawweight · Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicolle Caliari
Pick: Iasmin Lucindo by decision, “fairly safe” (0:05:34).
Why: Lucindo is bigger and stronger and hits harder on the feet, and Art doesn't think Caliari knocks her out or submits her. Caliari's recent submission win came against an opponent Art doesn't rate as UFC calibre. Lucindo is coming off a layoff of more than a year and slows a little, but not enough for Caliari to find a finish. At -375 (0:02:42), Art thinks the moneyline is too wide for women's MMA.
Best bets:
- Lucindo finish only -240 (0:08:45), low confidence. The bet has no action if it goes to the scorecards. Art took it “just to have something on it” (0:10:13) and plans to live bet from there.
- Long shot: fight ends by split decision +450 (0:05:38).
Stats: Lucindo vs Caliari stats comparison
UFC 333 Parlays
- BankrollBuilder, +348 at DraftKings (2:19:29): Abus Magomedov moneyline + Azamat Murzakanov moneyline + Petr Yan moneyline. Three money lines Art is confident in, with the close fights left out.
- ShootForTheMoon, +1412 at FanDuel (confirmed by Art, Oct 23): Nurullo Aliev by decision + Alexander Volkov by decision + Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev by KO/TKO.
- ShootForTheMoon, +2123 at FanDuel (2:36:41): Nurullo Aliev by decision + Alexander Volkov by decision + Abus Magomedov inside the distance. Two legs are Art's fight predictions, and Magomedov inside the distance covers a KO or a submission.
UFC 333 Picks FAQ
Who does Art pick in Volkanovski vs Evloev at UFC 333?
Art picks Movsar Evloev by decision to win the featherweight title, with an Evloev KO also live. His best bets are the Evloev moneyline, Evloev most takedowns and Volkanovski under 1.5 takedowns.
Who wins Yan vs Dvalishvili 3?
Art picks Petr Yan by decision in the co-main event, and says a Yan finish wouldn't surprise him. He likes Yan finish only, and the Yan moneyline if finish only isn't available.
What are the best bets for UFC 333?
Best bets Art named include Volkov most significant strikes, Evloev most takedowns, Pico decision only, Murzakanov by KO, Yakhyaev by KO, Magomedov Round 1 only and Aliev +3.5 rounds. The full list for all 14 fights is above.
Which UFC 333 fight is Art passing on?
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov. Art has a soft lean to Chopurov but didn't get to his tape, so he passes and may look for a live bet.
What time does UFC 333 start?
UFC 333 is on Saturday, Oct 24, 2026 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Early prelims start at 10 AM ET, prelims at 12 PM ET and the main card at 2 PM ET (UFC.com).
Get every play live: Art's full UFC 333 Best Bets stream, every ticket and his fight-night live betting are on Patreon. Free tape studies are on YouTube. Join Patreon.
- Every UFC 333 fighter's tape: UFC 333 Tape Index
- Compare any two fighters: Matchups
- Track Art's record: Results
- More articles: Blog
Picks and stats are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Odds change. Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Bet responsibly, 21+ where legal. In Ontario, call ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600.
Bet responsibly. 19+. If you or someone you know has concerns about gambling, call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.