Asaf Chopurov enters UFC 333 on Saturday, October 24, as the favorite in his Octagon debut, facing a Colby Thicknesse who is priced as a significant 5-1 underdog via DraftKings. The matchup pits the highly touted UAE Warriors champion, who has amassed 35 amateur bouts and 11 professional fights by age 24, against Thicknesse, a seasoned veteran and chief training partner to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski. While Chopurov is widely regarded as one of the top non-UFC talents in the division, the betting market reflects the inherent risk of a debutant facing a fighter who has never been finished in his professional career.
Can the UAE Warriors champ survive a 5-1 underdog’s game plan in his Octagon debut?
The core of this prediction hinges on Thicknesse’s ability to neutralize Chopurov’s offensive volume through survival and control. Thicknesse is a well-rounded grappler and striker who has demonstrated resilience, though his recent victories over Vince Morales and Josias Musasa were closer than his record suggests. He has shown vulnerability in high-pressure situations, raising questions about whether he can maintain composure against a dangerous, high-volume debutant. Conversely, Chopurov’s extensive amateur experience provides him with a wealth of fight IQ, but his professional finishing power remains untested against elite UFC-level defense.
For bettors, the value lies in assessing whether Thicknesse’s defensive discipline can cover the steep price tag. If Thicknesse can impose his grappling game and avoid early knockdowns, he has a realistic path to a decision victory, making the underdog odds attractive for risk-tolerant bettors. However, Chopurov’s youth and aggressive style present a significant threat if he can land clean strikes in the early rounds. Our expert pick favors Thicknesse to survive the storm and secure a win, leveraging his experience and defensive savvy to outlast the hype surrounding the UAE Warriors champ.
Source: Yahoo Sports
