UFC CEO Dana White is feeling proud about the outcome of the UFC 333 event. Thanks to the two blockbuster championship fights that headlined the card, where both titleholders delivered solid performances.
In the main event, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski retained his belt by handing the previously undefeated Movsar Evloev his first career loss via a brutal second-round TKO. In the co-main event, bantamweight champion Petr Yan secured a definitive unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili to keep his title and close out their historic trilogy.
Other matchups on the main card also delivered massive excitement, especially the victory of No. 4-ranked heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov over Rizvan Kuniev. His pre-fight and post-fight title shot call-out led to endless chatter online, especially given his humorous pre-fight media appearances where he playfully claimed he was just trying to improve his English-speaking skills.
Following Saturday’s record-breaking success in Abu Dhabi, the UFC boss extended his gratitude to the fans and teased that a very unique new event concept is already in development to bring even more entertainment to global fans in the future.
Dana White Teases Spectacular UFC Event After Record Night in Abu Dhabi
White opened the post-fight press conference by crediting the traveling fans alongside confirming that, in terms of attendance, UFC 333 drew a larger crowd than any other previous UFC event in Abu Dhabi.
He said, “Tonight was the highest attendance for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi history. Highest gate. We broke the arena record. We now hold four of the five top gates here at the arena. And over 50% of the fans came from outside the UAE.”
He then thanked the majority of the people who traveled from outside the UAE, saying, “They spent money to come here—flights, hotel rooms, everything. You want to deliver. You want to have an event like we had tonight.”
From there, he discussed the fights and the potential future paths for both the winners and losers. He also teased, “We’re working on an event right now that will be very unique and people from all over the world will want to come see. I already started to see renderings of what we could possibly do before I flew to Abu Dhabi. I look forward to announcing that soon.”
#UFC333 Abu Dhabi
Announced Gate: (Largest gate for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi, broke the arena record, no figure given)
Announced Attendance: (Highest attendance for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi, no figure given)All 2026 Numbered Events:
UFC 332 Salt Lake City:
Announced Gate: $2,707,768
Announced Attendance: 16,492UFC 331 Los Angeles:
Announced Gate: $8,228,105 (Highest gate in history of arena)
Announced Attendance: 19,357UFC 330 Philadelphia:
Announced Gate: $6,715,776
Announced Attendance: 19,238UFC 329 Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena:
Announced Gate: $26,430,566
Announced Attendance: 20,076UFC 328 Newark:
Announced Gate: $7,518,918
Announced Attendance: 17,783UFC 327 Miami:
Announced Gate: $6,518,684
Announced Attendance: 17,741UFC 326 Las Vegas -T-Mobile Arena:
Announced Gate: $8,305,158
Announced Attendance: 19,480UFC 325 Sydney:
Announced Gate: $10,103,136
Announced Attendance: 18,102UFC 324 Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena:
Announced Gate: $10,951,166
Announced Attendance: 19,481— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 24, 2026
White did not specify where or when the event will take place, who will fight on it, or what makes it different from a standard card. However, he did emphasize that the UFC plans to stay in the UAE capital, adding, “I plan to have lots of great events here in Abu Dhabi again.”
It is really fascinating that UFC now commands four of the five largest live gates in Etihad Arena history. While specific details on the mystery project remain under wraps, it is expected to follow recent spectacles like UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere and the historic UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn. It remains to be seen when the official announcement will drop.
