Akbar Abdullaev is set to make his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Mairon Santos in a lightweight matchup scheduled for UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5 in Riyadh. The bout pits the undefeated Kyrgyz contender against the Brazilian veteran, who will move up from his customary featherweight division for this specific engagement. This high-profile pairing marks the immediate next step for Abdullaev following his explosive entry into the promotion’s radar.
Undefeated Akbar Abdullaev faces Mairon Santos in a heavyweight clash at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Abdullaev, who holds a perfect 14-0 record, earned his UFC contract with a devastating 19-second knockout victory on Dana White’s Contender Series in September. His performance was so dominant that UFC CEO Dana White publicly hailed him as “the greatest talent” to ever compete on the show in its ten-year history. White predicted the Kyrgyz fighter, a former One Championship competitor with a 100% finishing rate, would become a “huge superstar” and a major threat in the sport.
Santos enters the fight with a 17-1 professional record and a four-fight winning streak in the UFC since joining the promotion in 2024. However, he faces a significant challenge in Abdullaev’s elite striking defense and knockout power. The matchup represents a critical test for Santos’s ability to handle a top-tier prospect while Abdullaev looks to solidify his status as one of the most exciting newcomers in the lightweight division.
Source: Yahoo Sports
