Overview
- Colby Thicknesse won a split decision over Asaf Chopurov at UFC 333, with judges' scores recorded as 29-28, 29-28, 29-28.
- Pre-fight markets and previews heavily favored Chopurov, who entered the Octagon as a large DraftKings moneyline favorite based on an 11-0 record and recent first-round finishes.
- The three-round fight featured repeated clinch exchanges, multiple takedown attempts, elbow and knee strikes, and a cut on Thicknesse as momentum swung between the men.
- The result hands Chopurov his first professional loss and moves Thicknesse to 10-1 overall while extending his UFC winning run and strengthening his standing among bantamweight prospects.
- Chopurov arrives in the UFC as a former UAE Warriors champion and a training partner of Petr Yan while Thicknesse trains with top-level campmates, a context that makes this outcome likely to affect near-term matchmaking and the pair’s career trajectories.