Asaf Chopurov is set to make his UFC debut this weekend at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, and he arrives with a résumé that already stands out. At 24 years old, Chopurov has 35 official amateur appearances, a 34-1 amateur record and an 11-0 professional mark before stepping into the Octagon for the first time against Colby Thicknesse.
That long runway is part of what makes Chopurov an interesting newcomer. He said those fights gave him the kind of experience that prepared him for this moment, noting that he has been in nearly every type of situation a fighter can face. For him, the move to the UFC is not being treated as a huge emotional leap. He described it as simple: this is his path, and the Octagon is where he believes he is meant to be.
A deep résumé before the UFC
Chopurov's background is unusual even among promising prospects. He said he has almost 500 fights in amateur competition, which helped shape the steady approach he is bringing into his debut. According to Chopurov, those experiences have pushed him toward the professional ranks and made the transition feel natural rather than overwhelming.
He also pointed to the lessons learned along the way, saying the moments in amateur competition became memories that helped him move forward. In his view, the path to the UFC was built gradually, with each fight adding another layer to his preparation.
Recent wins under the UAE Warriors banner
Chopurov's recent professional run came under the UAE Warriors banner before his UFC opportunity arrived. Late last year, he won the bantamweight title. He then defended that belt twice, first in March when he stopped Adriano Ramos in the opening round, and again in July when he stopped Reece McLaren in the opening round.
Those results helped strengthen the case that he was ready for the next step. An unbeaten 11-0 professional record is notable on its own, but doing it while winning and defending a title adds another layer to his profile.
Preparing with Petr Yan
Chopurov also trained with Petr Yan ahead of UFC 333, an experience he described as especially meaningful. He said they were exchanging energy in camp, with each fighter bringing motivation from his own goals. Yan was preparing for his championship fight at the same time, and Chopurov said the shared preparation made the experience even better.
For Chopurov, working alongside Yan was another sign that he is on the right path. He said he is grateful for the opportunity and proud to be part of that preparation process. Now, that preparation leads to Abu Dhabi, where he will finally get his first UFC appearance against Thicknesse.
