UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. Evloev continues on the early prelims with a fight between Colby Thicknesse and Asaf Chopurov in the bantamweight division. Check out our UFC 333 odds series for our Thicknesse-Chopurov prediction and pick.
Colby Thicknesse (9-1) enters the Octagon riding a solid two-fight win streak, recently securing unanimous decision victories over Vince Morales and Josias Musasa following a tough loss to Aleksandre Topuria, as he comes into his fight this weekend against Asaf Chopurov.
Asaf Chopurov (11-0) enters the Octagon recently securing back-to-back first-round finishes, delivering a spectacular knockout over veteran Reece McLaren following a dominant rear-naked choke submission against Adriano Ramos as he comes into his fight this weekend against Colby Thicknesse.
UFC 333 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings
UFC 333 Odds: Colby Thicknesse-Asaf Chopurov Odds
Colby Thicknesse: +470
Asaf Chopurov: -650
Over 2.5 rounds: +120
Under 2.5 rounds: -154
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Why Colby Thicknesse Will Win
Colby Thicknesse possesses the precise technical striking and defensive grappling necessary to hand Asaf Chopurov his first professional defeat at UFC 333. The Australian prospect is a highly calculated counter-striker who excels at maintaining distance and frustrating aggressive opponents.
While Chopurov boasts a perfect record and devastating finishing ability, he relies heavily on overwhelming pressure and wild early blitzes. Thicknesse demonstrated exceptional composure and defensive awareness during his recent unanimous decision victories, systematically breaking down aggressive fighters like Vince Morales and Josias Musasa.
The key for Thicknesse lies in his footwork and sharp jab, which he utilizes beautifully to disrupt his opponents' rhythm and dictate the pace of the fight. If he can keep Chopurov on the end of his punches and circle away from the cage, he will neutralize the Russian's most dangerous weapons.
Chopurov is incredibly explosive in the opening round, but his high-energy style frequently leads to a noticeable dip in stamina as the fight progresses. Thicknesse possesses the cardio to weather that early storm and capitalize on a fatiguing opponent in the later frames.
Expect Thicknesse to fight a disciplined, outside game plan, forcing Chopurov to swing at air and shoot desperate takedowns. The Australian should take over the striking exchanges down the stretch to secure a hard-fought, calculated unanimous decision victory.
Why Asaf Chopurov Will Win
Asaf Chopurov brings a perfect 11-0 record and terrifying finishing ability into his matchup against Colby Thicknesse at UFC 333 this weekend. The Russian prospect possesses a rare combination of explosive striking power and elite submission grappling that makes him incredibly dangerous in every realm of mixed martial arts.
While Thicknesse is a highly calculated counter-striker, he has historically struggled against opponents who can seamlessly blend heavy pressure with relentless chain wrestling. Chopurov excels at exactly that, utilizing his aggressive striking to back opponents against the fence before dragging them to the canvas.
The most significant advantage for Chopurov lies in his offensive grappling and ability to secure submissions during chaotic scrambles. He recently showcased those elite skills by choking out Adriano Ramos following a brutal knockout over Reece McLaren.
Article Continues BelowIf Chopurov can successfully close the distance and force the Australian into grueling clinch exchanges, he will completely neutralize Thicknesse's preferred outside striking game. The undefeated Russian maintains heavy top control and constantly hunts for fight-ending sequences rather than settling for positional dominance.
Expect Chopurov to dictate the pace with heavy forward pressure from the opening bell. A brutal early stoppage or a dominant submission victory is highly likely for the surging Russian standout.
Final Colby Thicknesse-Asaf Chopurov Prediction & Pick
Asaf Chopurov enters this matchup with the terrifying finishing ability and relentless pressure needed to overwhelm Colby Thicknesse early. While the Australian prospect is a highly calculated counter-striker, he has not faced an opponent with the sheer explosive power and offensive grappling of the undefeated Russian.
Thicknesse relies heavily on his footwork and sharp jab to maintain distance, but Chopurov excels at aggressively blitzing his opponents against the cage. Once the Russian standout cuts off the Octagon and forces the fight into the clinch, he will completely neutralize the Australian's preferred outside game.
Expect Chopurov to dictate a frantic pace from the opening bell by utilizing his heavy striking to set up dominant takedowns. The surging Russian will likely overwhelm Thicknesse on the canvas during a chaotic scramble to secure a brutal first-round submission victory and keep his perfect professional record intact.
Final Colby Thicknesse-Asaf Chopurov Prediction & Pick: Asaf Chopurov (-650), UNDER 2.5 Rounds (-154)