UFC 333 draws biggest crowd in Abu Dhabi history

UFC 333 made history at Etihad Arena on Saturday night, recording the highest attendance and highest gate for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi to date, as thousands of fans packed the sold-out venue for two thrilling title fights.

UFC CEO Dana White highlighted the record-breaking success and international appeal of the event, while outlining his ambitions to continue bringing major UFC events to Abu Dhabi.

“Tonight was the highest attendance for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi history. Highest gate,” White said. “And over 50 per cent of the fans came from outside the UAE.”

“They spent money to come here, flights, hotel rooms, everything. You want to deliver. You want to have an event like we had tonight.”

“I plan to have lots of great events here in Abu Dhabi again.”

White also teased further plans, adding, “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.”

Inside the Octagon, Alexander Volkanovski retained his featherweight title with an impressive second-round TKO victory over previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the main event, handing the No. 1 contender the first defeat of his professional career. Volkanovski stopped Evloev with punches at 4:54 of the second round.