Chopurov Credits Khabib, Abdulmanap Before UFC 333 Debut
Asaf Chopurov says Khabib Nurmagomedov inspired him before his UFC 333 debut vs. Colby Thicknesse in Abu Dhabi.
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Unbeaten bantamweight prospect Asaf Chopurov says Khabib Nurmagomedov is the reason he got into mixed martial arts, and that a training camp with Khabib's late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov in Dagestan helped shape him as a fighter ahead of his UFC debut against Colby Thicknesse at UFC 333.
Chopurov (11-0) told Ariel Helwani that watching Nurmagomedov's work ethic as a young teenager set him on the path to fighting. "When I was 14-15, first of all, I saw Khabib Nurmagomedov and how disciplined he was," Chopurov said. "Then I also went to Dagestan and did a training camp with Abdulmanap, and this was really good motivation for me. After that, I just enjoying fighting. That's why I'm here."
Who Is Asaf Chopurov Facing at UFC 333?
Chopurov meets Colby Thicknesse on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, part of a UFC 333 card topped by Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev. Chopurov defended the UAE Warriors bantamweight title twice before signing with the UFC in September, and the unbeaten Azerbaijani also trains with UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. He has finished 10 of his 11 professional victories, including his last five. Thicknesse enters off two straight wins since suffering his lone career loss to Aleksandre Topuria last year.
Why This Matchup Matters
A long unbeaten run through the regional scene, capped by two successful title defenses in the UAE, is the kind of resume the UFC usually slots carefully. Pairing Chopurov with a game, well-rounded veteran like Thicknesse in his promotional debut is a real evaluation fight rather than a showcase mismatch, and training daily with a reigning champion in Yan only raises expectations on fight week.
For bettors, debuting prospects with finishing rates this high tend to open as moderate-to-heavy favorites once oddsmakers account for the step up in competition, but lines on first-time UFC fighters can be volatile and worth tracking as the card nears. Thicknesse has shown he can bounce back from adversity, which makes him a live underdog rather than a trap, especially if the fight extends into the championship rounds and Chopurov's power alone isn't enough to finish him early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Asaf Chopurov fighting at UFC 333?
Asaf Chopurov, who is 11-0, makes his UFC debut against Colby Thicknesse at UFC 333 on October 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Why does Asaf Chopurov credit Khabib Nurmagomedov?
Asaf Chopurov said watching Khabib Nurmagomedov's discipline as a young teenager inspired him to pursue mixed martial arts, and he later trained in Dagestan with Khabib's father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.
What is Asaf Chopurov's professional record?
Asaf Chopurov is 11-0 as a professional and has finished 10 of his 11 wins, including his last five, after defending the UAE Warriors bantamweight title twice.
