There was definitely a lot to take away from Dana White's post-UFC 286 press conference on Saturday night, one thing that might have flown under the radar is that Dana said Khamzat will return in October against a top three Middleweight. The UFC also recently announced they are returning to Abu Dhabi in October. Realistically, that means Khamzat will be fighting on the Abu Dhabi card on October 21st. It is just wild to think that Chimaev's last fight was destroying Kevin Holland, taking zero damage whatsoever in September that we'd have to wait over a year to see him in the octagon again. He wanted to fight in December, but the UFC wasn't able to get Colby Covington to sign a contract. That was going to be Chimaev's last chance to be a Welterweight. Then Chimaev said his next fight will be against Robert Whittaker right before or after Ramadan. The UFC is botching it once again! Chimaev should have fought before Ramadan to set up a Championship bout with either Alex Pereira or Israel Adesanya depending on who wins in their championship rematch at UFC 287.
Chimaev said that his next fight will be Whittaker, and Dana said a top-three Middleweight. That could mean Whittaker, but it could also mean Marvin Vettori. Dana may be losing it a little bit, but he hasn't completely lost it. He isn't stupid, Robert Whittaker could end up ruining the Khamzat hype. Whittaker packs power and speed in all his punches. Bobby Knuckles delivered a beat down to third-ranked Marvin Vettori who just won a controversial decision against Roman Dolidze. Vettori took damage against Dolidze, but should definitely be ready to go by October. I also don't necessarily know if Vettori will take that fight against Khamzat, while Whittaker is down to scrap with the best of them. It feels like Khamzat should be fighting way sooner, but the UFC knows Chimaev will bring in a huge crowd at Abu Dhabi.
Not only will Chimaev draw a huge crowd, but I imagine the return of Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 294. Abu Dhabi seems like it has become the second home of Islam. The question is, who is he fighting? The answer is most likely the winner of Charles Oliveira vs Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 in May. Anything can happen at UFC 286, so if Charles wins, the UFC is presented with a fantastic comeback story that can be avenged almost exactly one year after Islam beat Charles in Abu Dhabi to become champion. If Beneil wins, it's a fresh matchup for the Lightweight division that was supposed to happen in February of 2022. Beneil vs Islam is a more enticing fight for me. I feel like Islam will do what he did to Charles again, whereas I've been saying for months Dariush will be the guy to beat Makhachev. Islam will welcome either outcome as he is a fighting champion, but it probably won't be the only Lightweight bout on the card. Justin Gaethje said he would like to fight six months from now after his win on Saturday night which could potentially place him on the 294 card in Abu Dhabi. There should only be one name for Justin right now and that's Dustin Poirier. These are two of the most entertaining fighters of all time, they've fought before, and they're still the second and third-ranked Lightweights in the world. The winner of their fight should earn one last title fight against the winner of the Lightweight Championship Bout that same night. While they're at it they might as well book Poirier vs Gaethje 2 for five rounds considering their first bout was scheduled for five as well. This is a no-brainer for the UFC.
UFC 294 Potential Card
Islam Makhachev vs Dariush/Oliveira
Khamzat Chimaev vs Whittaker/Vettori
Dusitn Poirier vs Justin Gaethje 2
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