Video: Fan Tells Dana White He's 9-0, Eyes UFC Fight at Press Conference in Abu Dhabi
October 24, 2024
During the pre-fight press conference for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, UFC president Dana White did something he's never done before.
During the fan Q&A portion of the press conference, one member of the audience who said he's an amateur fighter with a 9-0 record convinced White to give him a chance to earn a spot in the UFC:
UFC @ufcShowed up as a fan...leaving as a fighter?! 👀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC308?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC308</a><a href="https://twitter.com/VisitAbuDhabi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VisitAbuDhabi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/InAbuDhabi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@InAbuDhabi</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InAbuDhabi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InAbuDhabi</a> <a href="https://t.co/EFfCdtRiFs">pic.twitter.com/EFfCdtRiFs</a>
The fan, 25-year-old Dorobshokh Nabotov from Tajikistan, said he competes in the lightweight division. He said he's never had a manager and he handles his career himself, which is likely why he took the unique approach of shooting his shot to the boss at a pre-fight press conference.
"Where were you during the Contender Series? The Contender Series just ended, where were you?" White asked before inviting Nabotov onto the stage and directing him to staff members in the back.
Dana White's Contender Series is a competition show that features amateur fighters facing off against each other for a chance to join the UFC, and the eighth season was completed on Oct. 15. White chooses the fighters who will get a contract based on their performance in their single showcase opportunity. The alums of the Contender Series include former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and rising flyweight star Maycee Barber.
White later told TMZ that he's giving Nabotov the chance to earn his way into the UFC later this year.
"I'm actually flying to Korea for Dana White: Looking for a Fight on YouTube. The Korean Zombie is putting on a show. He started his own promotion there. December 14th," White said. "I'm going to have [Korean Zombie] put that kid on the card and we're going to find out what he's got. If he wins that night I'll sign him!"
If Nabotov is successful in earning a UFC contract, he will have the most unique start to his career in the history of the company.
B/R Recommends