Colby Thicknesse Wins Split Decision Over Asaf Chopurov at UFC 333
Colby Thicknesse earned a split decision victory over undefeated newcomer Asaf Chopurov in a bantamweight bout on the early prelims of UFC 333 on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The judges scored the three-round fight 28-29, 29-28, and 29-28 for Thicknesse after both men went the full 15 minutes.
Thicknesse entered at 9-1 overall and 2-1 in the UFC, riding a two-fight winning streak of unanimous decisions. Chopurov arrived with an 11-0 professional record and a reputation as a high-level prospect making his Octagon debut. The Australian was a significant underdog against the heavy favorite who had finished 10 of his previous 11 wins outside the UFC.
The fight featured prolonged clinch work and wrestling exchanges. Chopurov pressed Thicknesse against the cage early and secured multiple takedowns, landing four of seven attempts. Thicknesse responded with higher output, connecting on 57 of 93 significant strikes and 79 of 119 total strikes according to official statistics. Neither fighter recorded a knockdown or a submission attempt.
Chopurov looked to control the fight from top position and land short shots in the clinch, while Thicknesse worked to reverse positions and land his own strikes on the break. In the final round, both men traded takedowns before breaking free for a brief striking exchange as the clock expired. Media scorecards tracked the bout closely, with some observers giving the edge to Chopurov, yet two of the three judges favored Thicknesse.
The result improves Thicknesse to 10-1 overall and 3-1 in the UFC. It is his third consecutive win after decision victories over Vince Morales in May and Josias Musasa in September 2025. Chopurov drops to 11-1 in his first professional loss, ending an undefeated run that included a UAE Warriors bantamweight title and multiple first-round finishes.
Thicknesse, nicknamed “Slickness,” trains at Freestyle Fighting Gym in Australia and has long been a training partner of Alexander Volkanovski. The two shared the same card for the first time at UFC 333. Chopurov, known as “The Honey Badger,” trains with Petr Yan and carried a 34-1 amateur record into his professional career before signing with the UFC.
The split decision came on a night when several early prelim bouts also reached the scorecards. Thicknesse’s volume advantage proved decisive for two of the three judges despite Chopurov’s success with takedowns. The Australian now holds a three-fight win streak inside the promotion after losing his UFC debut by decision to Aleksandre Topuria in February 2025.
Chopurov’s debut performance showed the grappling and pressure that made him a prospect, but he could not convert the wrestling into a clear enough edge on the scorecards. He remains a young fighter with finishing ability and experience against regional competition. Thicknesse demonstrated the durability and output that have defined his recent UFC appearances.
The bantamweight division continues to feature a mix of established names and newcomers on the undercard of major events. Thicknesse will look to build on the split-decision win when the UFC assigns his next opponent. Chopurov returns to the drawing board after a competitive first outing that ended in a narrow loss. UFC 333 moves forward in Abu Dhabi with ranked matchups and title fights still ahead.
