Dana White says Khamzat Chimaev is being considered for a return at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi

UFC CEO Dana White said Khamzat Chimaev is being considered for a potential return at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, while stressing that no fight has been set. The comment keeps Chimaev in the picture for one of the promotion’s most visible upcoming stages, but it also reinforces that his reappearance depends on match-making that has not reached final form.

Chimaev has been one of the UFC’s most discussed middleweights in recent cycles, in part because of his ability to generate buzz and because his path through the division has often been framed around the idea of big, consequential matchups. White’s remarks suggest the UFC wants to keep that momentum alive for UFC 333, even if the calendar remains subject to change until an agreement is completed.

In White’s telling, the process around Chimaev is more about consideration than commitment. He indicated that a bout for UFC 333 is “being considered” for the middleweight, and that the UFC is still working through options, a framing that matches the way major events are built when multiple fighters are being evaluated at once.

The significance of Chimaev’s potential inclusion is not just about one fighter returning. UFC 333, staged in Abu Dhabi, represents a major international footprint for the UFC, and matchups announced for these larger cards can shape how the promotion structures its middleweight narrative in the months that follow. If Chimaev is eventually added, his opponent would immediately become a focal point for fans and for the division’s rank-and-relevance conversation.

Still, until the UFC finalizes a matchup and communicates it through official channels, any expectations about Chimaev’s return should be treated as preliminary. White’s comments clarify the direction the UFC is exploring, but they do not confirm timing, opponent selection, or the existence of a contractually locked fight.