Dana White Calls DWCS Knockout Artist the Greatest Talent in Show History
Akbar Abdullaev's 19-second knockout headlines a four-contract Week 6 that set a DWCS season record.
Dana White's Contender Series has been around for a decade, but the UFC CEO says he has never seen anything quite like Akbar Abdullaev.
The undefeated lightweight needed exactly 19 seconds to flatten Ednilson Barros Santos with a knockout that left Santos out on his feet. White was floored. "Possibly the greatest talent that has been on this show in 10 years," he said, per Sherdog. Abdullaev improved to 14-0 and earned a UFC contract on the spot.
He was not the only one making a statement. Mayton Perea knocked out previously undefeated Zevan Hunt in 45 seconds to earn his contract, while Igor Cavalcanti erased his earlier DWCS heartbreak by finishing Oscar Ravello with ground-and-pound in 98 seconds. White called Cavalcanti's performance "total and absolute violence."
The fourth contract went to middleweight Luis Hernandez, a Dade County police officer who improved to 8-0 by submitting Hugo Guillon after surviving a knockdown and a submission attempt in the second round. White praised the fight's intensity: "Two dogs blasting each other with big shots. Incredible fight."
The only fighter who did not walk away with a contract was featherweight Tyshawn Williams, who won a unanimous decision over Antonio Monteiro but did not impress White enough to earn a deal. White softened the blow by inviting Williams back for another appearance.
Week 6 brought the season's contract total to 28, the most ever at this stage of a DWCS season. The pipeline to the UFC roster shows no signs of slowing down.
Dana calling Abdullaev the greatest talent in ten years of the show is a big statement, and the 19-second knockout that left Santos out on his feet makes it hard to argue with. Fourteen and oh, lightweight, and the boss is already comparing him to a decade of prospects. Book him on a real card fast, because that kind of buzz has a shelf life.
The undercard of contracts was strong too. Perea in 45 seconds, Cavalcanti in 98 with what Dana called total violence, and Luis Hernandez, a cop, surviving a knockdown and a submission to win. That is four guys who all got signed for different reasons, which is how the show should work.
My sympathy is for Tyshawn Williams. Win a unanimous decision and get told come back next time. That is the Contender Series tax. Twenty-eight contracts this season is a record, and the roster is going to be crowded. Some of these guys will be cut in a year. Abdullaev will not be one of them.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
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