The UFC has signed Asaf Chopurov, the 11-0 UAE Warriors bantamweight champion who carried a 34-1 amateur record into his professional career. Chopurov, nicknamed 'Honey Badger', was widely regarded as one of the best fighters competing outside the Octagon and will make his promotional debut at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. The Azerbaijani-Russian prospect is booked to face Colby Thicknesse at the Etihad Arena, the same card on which his teammate Petr Yan defends the bantamweight title.
The UFC has reportedly signed Asaf Chopurov, the unbeaten UAE Warriors bantamweight champion, with the Azerbaijani-Russian prospect said to be booked for his Octagon debut at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. The signing and bout have not been officially confirmed.
Chopurov, nicknamed "Honey Badger," enters the UFC with a perfect 11-0 professional record and a remarkably decorated amateur background of 34-1. Long considered among the most promising fighters competing outside the major promotions, he is set to compete at the Etihad Arena on a card that is also reported to feature his teammate Petr Yan in a bantamweight title defense.
His opponent, Australian prospect Colby Thicknesse, carries a 9-1 record and fights out of Freestyle Fighting Gym. Known as "Slickness," the 27-year-old stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance. Thicknesse lands 3.33 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy and adds a takedown per 15 minutes to his game, making him a measured, well-rounded presence in the 135-pound division.
Why it matters
- Chopurov arrives with one of the more compelling prospect resumes in recent memory, combining an elite amateur pedigree with an unblemished professional run
- A debut on UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi puts him in front of a home crowd favorable to UAE Warriors alumni
- The 125-pound gap in professional experience between the two fighters makes this a significant early test for Thicknesse and a showcase opportunity for Chopurov
- Divisional movement at bantamweight is already in focus on this card, giving the bout added context within the 135-pound landscape
Saturday, October 24, 2026
