Dana White addresses Khamzat Chimaev’s potential UFC 333 return

Khamzat Chimaev could finally return to action in Abu Dhabi.

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White indicated that the middleweight is being considered, like many fighters, for UFC 333, although no bout has been finalized.

Khamzat Chimaev pushes for UFC return as Dana White weighs UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi
Chimaev recently took to social media, seemingly eager to return to the Octagon.

“What are we waiting for? I want to fight,” he wrote on X while tagging the UFC boss.

White addressed Chimaev's future following Week 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026 after being asked about the X post from the former champion calling for a return to action.

“I didn't see it,” White said. “Yeah, I mean, he's always in conversation to fight. The whole roster is. I mean, everybody, in a perfect world, everybody fights three times a year.”

Chimaev lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland earlier this year, suffering the first loss of his professional career. While he initially hinted at a move up to light heavyweight after the defeat, “Borz” has been calling for a rematch with Strickland for the past few months.

Furthermore, UFC 333, scheduled for Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, already has two title bouts and a stacked main card. Alexander Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title against Movsar Evloev and Petr Yan will run it back with Merab Dvalishvili in a trilogy clash for the bantamweight strap on the card, leaving little room for another championship bout.

What are we waiting for?
I want to fight @danawhitepic.twitter.com/k5btIqshzd— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) August 18, 2026