Kody Steele steps back into the Octagon at UFC 333 aiming to reestablish the momentum that initially marked him as one of the most promising prospects to emerge from the 2024 Contender Series. A grappler by trade, Steele entered the promotion carrying a reputation for combining his foundational ground skills with a varied, high-pressure striking attack.
His introduction to the UFC proved more challenging. Although he remained competitive throughout his debut, opponent Rongzhu delivered one of the finest performances of his career, exploiting strategic openings in Steele’s direct and aggressive approach. That initial defeat, compounded by a subsequent injury layoff, temporarily sidelined Steele before he engineered a successful return in May by securing a heel-hook submission victory over Dom Mar Fan.
Standing across the cage is Gugnon, a French competitor who enters the matchup following an August submission win over fellow newcomer Milos Janicic. While Gugnon clearly possesses notable power in his hands, analysts note that his overall mixed martial arts game remains a work in progress. He has gradually begun expanding his tactical options beyond simply trading punches, though his grappling is frequently utilized primarily as a tool to create openings for further offense rather than a primary finishing discipline.
Betting markets currently peg Steele as a -155 favorite, while Gugnon is listed as a +130 underdog. Tactical breakdowns suggest that if the bout devolves into a prolonged, attritional striking affair, Gugnon’s raw punching power could present significant dangers. However, Steele’s superior grappling pedigree provides him with a more reliable and proven route to victory, leading to predictions of a first-round submission.
The Steele-Gugnon pairing forms part of a broader preliminary card that features several other compelling matchups. The preliminary lineup also highlights scheduled bouts between Murzakanov and Reyes, Krylov and Yakhyaev, Magomedov and Rowston, Dawson and Aliev, Thicknesse and Chopurov, Vagaev and Malkoun, Oki and Santos, as well as Lucindo squaring off against Caliari.
