UFC 333: Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov Preview & Prediction
by Gabriel Sheehan ·
Updated
Colby Thicknesse fights on the same card as his mentor, Alexander Volkanovski, for the first time, facing off against hyped newcomer, Asaf Chopurov.
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov facts
What time are Colby Thicknesse and Asaf Chopurov expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 333
What TV channel is UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev main card
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili (Bantamweight)
Lone’er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev (Heavyweight)
Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita (Featherweight)
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev prelims
Azamat Murzakanov vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (Light Heavyweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Cameron Rowston (Middleweight)
Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev (Lightweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov (Bantamweight)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun (Middleweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos (Lightweight)
Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon (Lightweight)
Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicolle Caliari (Catchweight - 120.5 lbs)
Colby Thicknesse: Can the Australian show "Slickness" and collect a third straight win?
Training partner to UFC 333 headliner, Alexander Volkanovski, Colby Thicknesse (9-1) stands at 2-1 across his first three fights with the promotion. Joining the UFC as an undefeated prospect last year, “Slickness” dropped his debut to Aleksandre Topuria at UFC 312, before rebounding with consecutive decision victories over Josias Musasa and Vince Morales. The 27 year old Aussie doesn’t have the best striking, but he’s extremely tough and resilient. Thicknesse is also a solid grappler who will actively hunt submissions as soon as the action hits the mat.
Asaf Chopurov: "Honey Badger" arrives in the big leagues with an impressive reputation
Former UAE Warriors bantamweight champion, Asaf Chopurov (11-0), arrives in the UFC with a considerable degree of hype. Undefeated with ten finishes in eleven wins split evenly between KOs and submissions, the 24 year old Russian was a standout amateur prior to turning professional, turning in an insane record of 34-1. He’s fought solid levels of competition on the regional circuit and largely excelled to date. While Chopurov is primarily a wrestler, “Honey Badger” has some nasty power; his last performance saw him starch Reece McLaren with a brutal right hand in just over a minute.
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov prediction
This looks like a rough matchup for Thicknesse, a state of affairs reflected by the current odds. Chopurov is completely unproven against UFC level fighters, but he looks to be a stylistic nightmare for “Slickness” on paper.
The Aussie has notably struggled when he isn’t the superior grappler in his fights. Chopurov’s wrestling chops indicate that at the very least, he has what it takes to hang with Thicknesse on the ground. Furthermore, while he does his best work on the ground, “Honey Badger” also has some brutal power on the feet working in his favour. That’s a particularly concerning omen given that we’ve seen Thicknesse get wobbled badly by Josias Musasa and Vince Morales even in victory.
In short, Chopurov looks to have the advantage anywhere the fight takes place; outside of a Hail Mary submission from the bottom if the Russian gets complacent, it’s hard to see how Thicknesse wins this one. I envision Chopurov hurting “Slickness” on the feet in the early goings, subsequently punishing a bad shot or following him to the ground after a knockdown to secure position and lock up a submission in short order.
Prediction: Asaf Chopurov to win by stoppage
Upcoming Events
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili (UFC 333)
Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev (UFC 333)
Iasmin Lucindo vs Nicolle Caliari (UFC 333)
Abubakar Vagaev vs Jacob Malkoun (UFC 333)
Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon (UFC 333)
Colby Thicknesse vs Asaf Chopurov (UFC 333)
Bolaji Oki vs Daniel Santos (UFC 333)
Grant Dawson vs Nurullo Aliev (UFC 333)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Cameron Rowston (UFC 333)
Nikita Krylov vs Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev (UFC 333)
