Some dreams remain just dreams. Dorobsho Nabotov dared to believe he could show the world what he was capable of by winning one final fight to step into the biggest MMA promotion. But not all wishes find their wings. The Tajikistani-Russian fighter got his chance to chase a UFC contract but fell short. At Z-Fight Night in Korea, his dream of entering the UFC and securing a deal with Dana White slipped away with a heartbreaking loss.
Dorobsho Nabotov’s bold move at the UFC 308 press conference caught Dana White’s attention, leading to an introduction to the UFC staff and a conversation about his future. The moment seemed like a gateway to the UFC as Nabotov earned a chance to secure a contract by competing at ZFN, a South Korean promotion led by UFC legend Korean Zombie. But to make his dream a reality, he needed to win. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed when he fell short against Matheus Camilo.
Dorobsho Nabotov came up short in the fight that could have earned him a UFC contract, losing to Brazilian Matheus Camilo via unanimous decision. pic.twitter.com/t9elKBef3i
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 14, 2024
The Russian fighter’s dream came to a crushing end after three hard-fought rounds. Despite his efforts, he didn’t look quite UFC-ready, struggling to keep up as he crumpled under pressure. In the end, with a unanimous decision loss, he not only lost the fight but also his shot at a UFC contract.
Dana White Didn’t Attend The ZFN Event
UFC CEO White was set to attend Z-Fight Night. But the promotion announced just days before the event that he couldn’t make it due to unforeseen circumstances. The declaration of martial law in South Korea on December 3 prevented him from attending ZFN 02 on December 14.
Indeed, fans and Dorobsho are left wondering: what if White had attended? Would he have fought with a different intensity? Did fighting outside Russia make a difference, or did he crumble under pressure? The big question now is whether he’ll get another shot. Only time will tell if his dreams of joining the UFC are still alive.
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