Akbar Abdullaev Scores 19-Second Knockout, Earns UFC Contract
Dana White's rave reaction highlights Abdullaev's 14-0 all-finish record and sets expectations for a rapid move into the UFC roster.
Overview
- Abdullaev stopped Ednilson Barros Santos with a right-hand knockout in 19 seconds during Dana White’s Contender Series, finishing the fight on Sept. 15 and triggering an immediate UFC contract.
- UFC CEO Dana White praised the punch as sounding “like a baseball bat” and called Abdullaev one of the most impressive talents to appear on the show in a decade.
- The 28-year-old enters the UFC at 14-0 with a 100 percent finish rate, listing 13 KOs and one submission on his record from regional circuits and ONE Championship.
- Santos accepted the fight on less than a week’s notice, and Abdullaev has publicly asked for a quick debut in October or November while the UFC has not yet announced his first official matchup.
- Abdullaev’s ONE Championship stoppage background, a reported past missed-weight at a Tang Kai bout, and the depth of the lightweight division create immediate matchmaking questions that will shape how quickly he climbs the UFC ranks.