The UFC 333 main card has suffered a major blow. The featherweight bout between No. 7-ranked contender Arnold Allen and No. 12-ranked contender Aaron Pico has been scrapped.

Allen had to withdraw from the contest and is now replaced by knockout artist Losene Keita.

Losene Keita (17-2) secured his first UFC victory in stellar fashion earlier this month by knocking out Muhammad Naimov in Round 1 at UFC Paris. Following the viral KO, Keita jumped outside the octagon and took a seat in the front row to applaud for himself. He later called out top contender Lerone Murphy.

But now, the former two-division OKTAGON champion will face the toughest test of his UFC career when he takes on Aaron Pico.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 05: (L-R) Losene Keita of Guinea punches Muhammad Naimov of Tajikistan in their featherweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The Accor Arena on September 05, 2026, in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Pico also secured his first UFC win earlier this year by defeating Patricio Pitbull via unanimous decision at UFC 327. Before that, on his debut, he was sent to the shadow realm by the aforementioned Murphy, whom Keita wanted to face after his UFC Paris win.

Why did Arnold Allen pull out of UFC 333?

As reported by MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Arnold Allen had to withdraw from the Aaron Pico bout because he has been “rehabbing from past treatments” and doesn’t have enough time to be ready for UFC 333. The aforementioned media outlet also reported that Allen might return to the octagon before the end of 2026. Heck posted on X:

“Arnold Allen is out of his UFC 333 matchup with Aaron Pico, per sources. Allen has been rehabbing from past treatments, but ‘not enough time between now and Abu Dhabi to be ready to fight.'”

Check out the post below:

UFC 333 will take place on October 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In the main event, current and two-time featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defends his title against the undefeated Movsar Evloev.

In the co-main event, current and two-time UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan will lock horns with former champion Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy bout.

Subham

Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.