Colby Thicknesse vs. Asaf Chopurov
UFC 333 · October 24, 2026 · Etihad Arena · Early Prelims
The brief
- What kind of fight
- UFC debut power vs. seasoned well-rounded veteran
- Finish likelihood
- Medium
- The line
- No line posted yet
- The stakes
- Bantamweight · Early Prelims
The read
Chopurov's knockout power and switch-stance striking make him a threat to end this fast against anyone, and his championship pedigree outside the UFC speaks for itself.
Thicknesse's own finishing ability and two extra fights of Octagon experience could be the deciding factor if this reaches the second round.
A classic prospect-versus-tested-veteran litmus test for Chopurov's UFC readiness.
The matchup
This newly added bantamweight bout throws an undefeated prospect straight into the deep end against a well-rounded Australian on a two-fight winning streak.
Chopurov arrives off a perfect 11-0 record and a highlight-reel 63-second knockout in his last title defense, training daily alongside bantamweight champion Petr Yan, but he has never faced the pace or experience of a three-fight UFC veteran.
Thicknesse's own balanced striking-and-grappling game, built training alongside featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, gives him a puzzle Chopurov hasn't seen yet.
Tale of the tape
| 9-1 | Record | 11-0 |
| 27 | Age | 24 |
| 5'7" | Height | 5'7" |
| 69" | Reach | — |
| — | Stance | Orthodox |
| Australia | Country | Azerbaijan |
| — | Team | — |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Colby Thicknesse 9-1
“Slickness”
Colby 'Slickness' Thicknesse is a 27-year-old Australian bantamweight and training partner of featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. He has won back-to-back decisions over Josias Musasa and Vince Morales since dropping a decision to Aleksandre Topuria (younger brother of Ilia Topuria) at UFC 312, and now meets undefeated newcomer Asaf Chopurov in a newly added bout at UFC 333.
- WVince Morales · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates · May 2, 2026
- WJosias Musasa · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes · September 27, 2025
- LAleksandre Topuria · Decision (unanimous)UFC 312 · February 8, 2025
Asaf Chopurov 11-0
“Honey Badger”
Asaf 'Honey Badger' Chopurov is a 24-year-old undefeated Azerbaijani bantamweight making his UFC debut off an 11-0 record, with 10 of those wins by finish. The reigning UAE Warriors bantamweight champion, he retained that title with a 63-second knockout of Reece McLaren in July 2026, and trains alongside UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. He now meets Colby Thicknesse in a newly added bout at UFC 333.
Has never lost.
- WReece McLaren · KO (punch)UAE Warriors 72 · July 23, 2026
- WDemarte Pena · KO/TKOUAE Warriors · October 22, 2025