Thicknesse and Volkanovski to Compete at UFC 333

Australian teammates Colby Thicknesse and Alex Volkanovski are set to fight in Abu Dhabi this weekend.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts

Thicknesse and Volkanovski to Compete at UFC 333

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UFC bantamweight Colby Thicknesse and featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski will feature on the same card at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi this weekend, 24 October 2026. The two Australian fighters both train under coach Joe Lopez at the Freestyle MMA gym in Windang.

Why it matters

The pair share a long-standing mentorship, with Thicknesse crediting the 38-year-old Volkanovski for guiding his career as they develop in the same Illawarra-based training programme.

Colby Thicknesse is 27 years old, while featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski is 38 years old. Thicknesse began his training association with Volkanovski at the age of 11.

The players

Alex Volkanovski

He is a 38-year-old UFC featherweight champion who also recently appeared in the film Street Fighter.

Colby Thicknesse

He is a 27-year-old UFC bantamweight fighter who trains at the Freestyle MMA gym.

Joe Lopez

He serves as the head coach for both Colby Thicknesse and Alex Volkanovski.

The details

Thicknesse and Volkanovski regularly spar together during fight camps to maintain the gym's championship-level development standards. Volkanovski, who also recently appeared in the film Street Fighter, is scheduled to face opponent Movsar Evloev at the event.

UFC 333 takes place in Abu Dhabi this weekend, 24 October 2026.

Season Trajectory

The appearance of two teammates from the Freestyle MMA gym on the same card underscores the continued impact of regional training hubs on the global UFC landscape. This momentum signals a deepening of the talent pipeline coming out of the Illawarra region for future championship cycles.

Australian viewers should note the event takes place in Abu Dhabi, which will impact local broadcast timing. Fans following their careers should monitor both bout results as indicators of the gym's continued success in professional rankings.

The takeaway

The close mentorship between Thicknesse and Volkanovski illustrates how shared training environments foster consistent professional development. Fans should look for the technical similarities in their fighting styles that result from their long-term partnership at the Windang gym.