Colby Thicknesse, a +425 Underdog, Beats Unbeaten Chopurov at UFC 333
G'daaaay, Abu Dhabi. On Saturday 24 October 2026, an Australian sparring partner priced at +425 beat an unbeaten UFC debutant on a split decision, on the card headlined by his own gym boss.
Colby Thicknesse was not supposed to win this one. On Saturday 24 October 2026 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, the 27 year old Australian beat Asaf Chopurov, a debutant with 11 wins and no losses, by split decision to close the early prelims of UFC 333.
The bookmakers had it the other way round. BetMGM listed Chopurov as the heavy favourite at minus 600, and Thicknesse as the overwhelming underdog at +425. Four and a quarter to one, quietlu ignored by the cage.
The night had a neat symmetry. Chopurov is the sparring partner of bantamweight champion Petr Yan, who was defending his belt later on the card. Thicknesse trains with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who headlined it. Two champions' training partners met in one cage, and only one of them got to keep the story. GLUWULU.
Chopurov looked the part early, rocking Thicknesse with a knee and landing heavy elbows. Thicknesse's plan was to tire the debutant, and by round two it was working. In round three Chopurov took him down, then twice let him back up, and two judges gave that round to Thicknesse. Two scorecards read 29 to 28 for the Australian, one read 29 to 28 for Chopurov, whose first professional loss this was.
Not everyone saw it that way. Daniel Cormier, on commentary, did not think Thicknesse had done enough to earn the win. The Spirit has always had a soft spot for any fighter whose price starts with a plus sign.
Three judges, three cards, one split. Lucku or good? The Spirit won't say, he only smiles at the plus sign.
Thicknesse's upset: earned it or handed to him?
No right answer. Just your gut, and the Spirit watching.
