UFC CEO Dana White places former ONE Championship fighter Akbar Abdullaev above notable Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) alumni like Sean O’Malley and Jamahal Hill in terms of talent.
The UFC utilizes various platforms, including The Ultimate Fighter and DWCS, to scout and sign promising young fighters. Many DWCS graduates have achieved UFC championship success, with O’Malley's knockout being a memorable highlight from the show.
This year's DWCS has introduced compelling new talent. White has exceptionally high expectations for Akbar Abdullaev, a recent DWCS signee, suggesting he might be the most talented fighter to ever appear on the show.
White Praises Abdullaev's Potential
Following Abdullaev's quick knockout victory, White expressed his astonishment. He described the sound of Abdullaev's punch as resembling a baseball bat. White boldly declared Abdullaev "possibly the greatest talent that's ever been on this show in 10 years," predicting he will become a major star and a significant threat in the sport. White welcomed him to the UFC.
Abdullaev, who is undefeated at 14-0 with five wins in ONE Championship, knocked out Alex Pereira's teammate Ednilson Santos in just 19 seconds on a recent DWCS episode. White previously offered similar high praise to Michael Morales after his DWCS win. Abdullaev is expected to make his UFC debut later this year and will aim to meet these considerable expectations.
