Big Name Only Gets Contender Series Shot and Not Full UFC Contract
Akbar Abdullaev is 13-0 with 13 finishes, has competed for ONE Championship but this isn't enough to warrant him a place on the full UFC roster... yet.
Akbar Abdullaev
Akbar Abdullaev made his professional MMA debut in October 2020 and has progressed to 13-0. He made his ONE Championsip debut in 2023 on the undercard of Superlek vs Danial Williams. On that occassion, he scored a 44 second finish.
He would go on to make a further four ONE Championship apperances, all of which came via finish. He headlined ONE Fight Night 27, beating Kai Tang in the fifth round. We know he's got the gas tank, so expect him to hit the ground running on Tuesday night.
Ednilson Santos
Abdullaev's Brazilian, late notice opponent comes in the form of Ednilson Santos. Cai Cai has an extensive professional background with 22 fights. He's on just a single fight winning run, the Brazilian was scheduled to fight TUF vet, Joe Giannetti in October but has brought his camp forward for this opportunity.
With 12 years in the game, he'll be looking to lean on his experience to get the win in this one.
Week 6
Week six of the Contender Series will be headlined by the INKA welterweight champion, Mayton Perea clashing with the undefeated, 7-0 Zevan Hunt. With just a single decision victory across a combined 15 fights, expect fireworks in this one.
Elsewhere, Brazil's Igor Cavalcanti meets Oscar Ravello, Hugo Guillon and Luis Gernandez throw down and the experienced Antonio Monteiro goes at it with Tyshawn Williams.
