UFC 333 Prelims Card Picks & Predictions (2026)
UFC 333 is a loaded card with two title bouts and several ranked matchups. The promotion is headed to Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Alexander Volkanovski is putting his belt on the line against Movsar Evloev in the main event, while Petr Yan puts his on the line in a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event. The prelims start at 10 a.m. ET, while the main card starts at 2 p.m. ET, all on Paramount+.
Watch big title fights on DAZN>>
UFC 333 Prelims Card Picks & Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Grant Dawson (-118) vs. Nurullo Aliev (-102)
This card is full of close matchups, and this lightweight matchup is one of them. Grant Dawson is 24-3-1 as a professional with a 12-2-1 record in the UFC since 2019. He is fighting Nurullo Aliev, who is 12-0 as a professional.
Dawson recently defeated Mateusz Rebecki via submission in May, and lost via first-round knockout to Manuel Torres in December 2025. He is an experienced veteran with loads of experience, but this is a tough matchup for him.
Aliev is 4-0 in the UFC after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series. He has won every fight in the promotion by decision. He recently beat Mike Davis over three rounds in July.
Dawson is a wrestler with decent striking. He averages 3.58 takedowns landed per 15 minutes with 39% accuracy. Aliev is an elite wrestler with a pressure style of striking. He averages 3.48 takedowns landed per 15 minutes with 51% accuracy.
Dawson is typically the better grappler, but not in this matchup. He wins because he has the ability to get the fight to the mat if he is struggling on the feet. Aliev should be the one dictating where this fight takes place. He can get Dawson to the mat and control him there.
On the feet, Aliev is not the greatest striker, but he can hold his own. Dawson does not have great head movement, and Aliev throws powerful punches. He is improving his striking, and his pressure style could be a problem for Dawson. Aliev throws hard, although he is not that accurate (44%). Aliev could finish this fight, but betting on the moneyline is safer.
Bet: Nurullo Aliev (-102)
Abus Magomedov (-130) vs. Cam Rowston (+110)
Abus Magomedov is putting his No. 12 ranking in the middleweight division against Cam Rowston. Magomedov is 5-3 in the UFC and is coming off a first-round submission over Michal Oleksiejczuk. Rowston is 3-0 after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series in his second attempt in 2025.
Magomedov is a terror in the first round, but has shown a pattern of fading in the second and third rounds. Magomedov is a rangy striker with solid skills on the mat. He averages 3.06 significant strikes and absorbs 3.34 significant strikes per minute. He averages 2.50 takedowns landed per 15 minutes and has defended 100% of takedowns in the UFC.
Rowston is a gritty fighter with knockout ability. He won his first two UFC fights via knockout, and recently defeated Robert Bryczek via unanimous decision. He is also a tall, long fighter. Rowston lands 4.60 significant strikes and absorbs 2.12 significant strikes per minute.
The key for Rowston is staying off his back after the first round. Magomedov can control him on the mat, but he has to get him there. Rowston only defends 33% of takedowns, but that is skewed by getting taken down 10 times in his first DWCS fight. He has not been taken down since that point.
Rowston can match Magomedov's length. Both men have a 78-inch reach. Magomedov is used to having a reach advantage. Rowston is tough and durable, which should help him withstand the early pressure from Magomedov. Rowston is a three-round fighter, which helps him win this fight in the final two rounds.
Bet: Cam Rowston (+110)