Unbeaten Chopurov credits Khabib and Abdulmanap ahead of UFC 333 debut

Asaf Chopurov will carry a perfect 11-0 record into his UFC debut against Colby Thicknesse at UFC 333 on 24 October at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and the unbeaten Azerbaijani bantamweight says the Nurmagomedov family played a central role in putting him on that path.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Chopurov traced his passion for MMA back to watching Khabib Nurmagomedov as a teenager. “When I was 14-15, first of all, I saw Khabib Nurmagomedov and how disciplined he was,” he 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.”

The late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who coached his son Khabib to the UFC lightweight title and an unbeaten 29-0 professional record, died in 2020. For Chopurov, the camp in Dagestan proved formative — a hands-on encounter with the discipline that had first drawn him to the sport from afar.

Chopurov’s own record reflects that foundation. He has finished 10 of his 11 opponents, including each of his last five, and twice defended the UAE Warriors bantamweight title before signing with the UFC in September. He also trains alongside UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan, giving him elite-level sparring as he prepares for the sport’s biggest stage.

His opponent, Thicknesse, arrives at 9-1, with his only career defeat coming against Aleksandre Topuria. He has won his two most recent bouts since that setback, making him a credible test for a prospect stepping up in class for the first time.

UFC 333 marks the organisation’s return to Abu Dhabi, and Chopurov’s debut is one of the more closely watched matchups on the card given his finishing rate and the lineage behind his development.