Dana White sticks to UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi as US Embassy issues UAE security alert

UFC CEO Dana White says nothing has changed in the promotion's Middle East plans, with UFC 333 still set for Saturday, October 24, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Speaking at the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference, White said he travels to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, October 20. His comments came as the US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates issued a new security alert for Americans in the region on October 18.

White: "Six events in the next 30 days"

Asked whether upcoming events in the region could be moved, White said: "I go to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. I have like six events in the next 30 days in Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi," talkSPORT and NY Fights reported. He did not announce any change of date or venue for any of the cards.

That follows his earlier answer in an October 14 interview with Shakiel Mahjouri for UFC on Paramount. Asked whether the UFC had considered contingency plans for UFC 333, White replied: "Nope. We're going." He added, according to Bloody Elbow: "We go, we go. I'll be there with the UFC, Power Slap is going there twice, the WWE is going there, we're all going there."

What the US Embassy alert says

The alert from the US Mission in the UAE tells Americans in the Middle East to "exercise heightened vigilance due to the complex security environment" and to be ready for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. It says the Iran-backed Houthis have attacked Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, and that "the hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area."

The embassy also advises Americans to avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, stay alert at locations publicly associated with the United States and keep a low profile. talkSPORT notes that the US State Department currently advises citizens to reconsider travel to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Why the questions keep coming

Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport reopened on Sunday, October 18, after being closed because of Houthi attacks, The National reports. Many airlines are still suspending flights to Saudi Arabia, including Etihad Airways, which has cancelled services between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam until October 24, the day of UFC 333.

Other events in the region have also been affected. According to talkSPORT, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament in Saudi Arabia has been postponed until December, and there are reports that WWE staff have raised concerns about Crown Jewel in Riyadh on November 7. Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli is still scheduled for October 31 in Riyadh.

Not everyone in MMA agrees with the UFC's approach. Ant Evans recalled on X that Zuffa's head of security warned staff about London before UFC 120 in 2010, then wrote: "Now, TKO UFC is forcing staff to go to an active war zone," NY Fights reported. That is his opinion; the UFC has not responded publicly.

The UFC's Middle East schedule

• UFC 333, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi: Saturday, October 24 (confirmed)
• UFC Qatar, Doha: Saturday, November 21 (confirmed)
• UFC Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Saturday, December 5 (not officially announced)

Israel Adesanya vs Shara Magomedov has been reported as the main event for December 5. Russian outlet Vestnik MMA reported that the Riyadh card could be cancelled and the fight moved to UFC Qatar, according to NY Fights. That report has not been confirmed by the UFC.

What is booked for UFC 333

The main card still features two title fights: Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev for the featherweight title and Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. Also listed are Lone'er Kavanagh vs Ramazan Temirov, Alexander Volkov vs Rizvan Kuniev and Aaron Pico vs Losene Keita.

As of Monday, the UFC has not announced a new host city or date for UFC 333. POP MMA will update this story if that changes.