At the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference, 25-year-old Dorobshokh Nabotov, a Russian-Tajik fighter, captured attention by impersonating a journalist. When given the opportunity to speak, Nabotov confidently introduced himself as an undefeated athlete from Tajikistan, claiming a record of nine wins and no losses. His boldness left an impression on UFC President Dana White and the audience, prompting White to invite Nabotov to join the organization, sparking excitement about the young fighter’s potential.
In a recent interview with TNT Media, White addressed the buzz around Nabotov, clarifying that their interaction was spontaneous. He noted, “That kid hit me up. That wasn’t set up; I don’t know the guy. I had no idea what he was going to say.” White mentioned that while Nabotov claims to be 9-0, official records indicate he is 7-0, attributing this discrepancy to potential gaps in the documentation of MMA events in Russia.
White outlined the next steps for Nabotov, revealing that he will be traveling to Korea for an event hosted by The Korean Zombie on December 14th. He plans to include Nabotov on the card, stating that if Nabotov performs well, he would be signed by the UFC.
Dana White’s actions garnered attention beyond the UFC, even reaching Conor McGregor, who showed support for Nabotov. McGregor resonated with Nabotov’s story, reflecting on his own struggles to achieve success in the UFC. He commented on an Instagram post of the moment Nabotov and White shook hands, saying, “How it’s done! Quality.”
The article raises questions about whether Nabotov’s opportunity in Korea is the best path for him to debut in the promotion, or if he should consider Dana White’s Contender Series instead.