Abdullaev's UFC Debut Set After White's 'Greatest Talent' Label

Akbar Abdullaev has his first UFC assignment lined up for December, according to a new report.

Ag.Fight first reported that Abdullaev will face Mairon Santos at UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5th in Riyadh. The booking comes months after Dana White called the former ONE Championship standout one of the greatest talents in Contender Series history following a first-round knockout that earned him a contract.

Santos Moves to Lightweight for Abdullaev Test

Santos will reportedly make his full-time shift to 155 pounds after missing weight for featherweight in his last outing against Muhammad Naimov. The Ultimate Fighter 32 featherweight winner stopped Kaan Ofli for that crown in August 2024 and added victories over Sodiq Yusuff and Francis Marshall before the Naimov fight. He beat Naimov by decision to stay unbeaten through four UFC appearances.

The Saudi Arabia card is headlined by Israel Adesanya against Shara Magomedov at middleweight. The event also features prospects Islam Dulatov and Hecher Sosa.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — REPORT: Akbar Abdullaev’s UFC debut booked after Dana White called him ‘greatest talent’ in DWCS history