Dana White on UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi: 'Nope. We're going.'
The UFC president says there are no backup plans for the 24 October event at Etihad Arena and that he will be there.
UFC president Dana White says UFC 333 is going ahead in Abu Dhabi as planned. Asked by CBS Sports whether the promotion had contingency plans for the event, given security concerns in the wider region, he answered: "Nope. We're going." MMA Sucka reported the exchange on 14 October.
White was speaking at the press conference after the season 10 finale of Dana White's Contender Series. Asked whether he had spoken with authorities in Abu Dhabi, he replied: "We go."
He also said he would be at the event himself, and that Power Slap and WWE would be in Abu Dhabi as well, according to the report. Power Slap 25 is scheduled for Friday 23 October, the night before UFC 333.
UFC 333 takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island on Saturday 24 October. Alexander Volkanovski defends the featherweight title against unbeaten Movsar Evloev in the main event, and Petr Yan meets Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event.
Earlier this year several UAE concerts and festivals were postponed or cancelled because of regional tensions. The UFC has not announced any change to the UFC 333 date, venue or card beyond the bout changes already made, such as Losene Keita replacing the injured Arnold Allen against Aaron Pico.
UFC 333: Volkanovski vs. EvloevSat 24 Oct · Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: MMA Sucka (citing CBS Sports), Sports Illustrated (Allen out, Keita in), The National (2026 UAE postponements)
