UFC 333: Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon Preview & Prediction

A competitive lightweight scrap takes place on the early prelims, as Kody Steele faces off against Noah Gugnon.

Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon facts

What time are Kody Steele and Noah Gugnon expected to walk out? 24 October 2026 at 3:40 pm

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)

Kody Steele: Will Steele go straight for the grappling this time around?

1-1 under the UFC banner since earning a contract with a body shot KO on the Contender Series, Kody Steele (8-1) returned from a lengthy injury lay off to submit Dom Mar Fan with a first round heel hook on the UFC’s last trip to Perth. A slick submission artist with extensive experience on the pro-grappling scene, Steele is a well-rounded threat, coupling his jiu jitsu chops with a varied, pressure striking game. He came up short decisively against Rong Zhu in his debut appearance, but an extended period of time on the sidelines appears to have rejuvenated the 31 year old American.

Noah Gugnon: The Frenchman looks to come out "Guns" blazing

Currently riding a six fight win streak with his last four wins coming by way of first round finish, Noah Gugnon (10-2) turned in a flawless debut at UFC Belgrade, decimating Milos Janicic with early leg kicks and following him to the floor to score a submission finish. While he earned his debut victory by tap out, “Guns” is traditionally a slick kickboxer with devastating strikes in close range, cutting his teeth in French promotion, Ares FC, prior to signing with the promotion. The 26 year old Frenchman is well-sized for the division at 5’11 and boasts a 100% finish rate.

Kody Steele vs Noah Gugnon prediction

I’m not surprised to see Steele close as a slight favorite here. Gugnon may have looked excellent against Milos Janicic in his debut, but his latest opponent is considerably more well-rounded than “The Cobra.”

Steele has extremely nasty jiu-jitsu and a solid striking game with KO power to boot. Gugnon is probably the more naturally powerful of the two men, but I think that Steele is good enough to hang with him during exchanges on the feet; I don’t see him getting put away with a single leg kick. On the ground, I think the American is streets ahead. Gugnon may have won his debut by submission, but Steele has a wealth of competitive grappling experience and has competed against some legitimately elite jiu jitsu practitioners.

Gugnon’s KO power and grit makes him an extremely live dog in this matchup, but Steele’s well-rounded game means that he seemingly has more routes to victory here. I could see the Frenchman taking over and winning a damage based decision if this descends into a brawl, but I envision Steele finishing matters by submission before it gets that far.

Prediction: Kody Steele to win by submission