Update on Dorobshokh Nabotov: Dana White sets up Tajikistan national to fight on The Korean Zombie's promotion in December
While fighters around the world work so hard to get Dana White's attention for a chance at a UFC contract, Dorobshokh Nabotov did the unthinkable: he simply asked him.
This bold and courageous move paid off, as the UFC president was seemingly impressed by the Tajikistani's guts to ask for a contract during the UFC 308 press conference in Abu Dhabi.
With limited mic time in the crowd, Nobotov said:
"I am an undefeated elite athlete from Tajikistan. Nabotov Dorobshokh, nine wins, zero losses. Dana [White], I don’t have a question I came here for a fight on short notice. I’ve never had a manager, I did it all by myself, please give me a chance. Dana, I want to fight in the UFC please give me a chance, I’m ready, please give me, Dana.”
White proceeded to ask Nabotov about his record, asked him to come up the stage, then shake his hand - seemingly giving the fighter what he wanted:
In an interview with TMZ after the Power Slap 9 event today, Dana White gave an update on Dorobshokh Nabotov (via TMZ):
"We looked into it. Looks like he's 7-0. He's claiming he's 9-0. You never know with these fights that happen in Russia. So I am actually flying to Korea for 'Dana White Looking for a Fight' that's on YouTube. The Korean Zombie [Chan Sung-Jung] is putting on a show. He started his own promotion out there. December 14th. Looking for a Fight, Korea, I'm gonna have him put that kid on the card and we're gonna fight out what he's got. If he wins that night, I'll sign him."
Dorobshokh Nabotov's MMA career explored
Born in Tajikistan on January 31, 1999, Nabotov now trains in Chelyabinsk, Russia, representing Team REM 93. Checking his official record online, there's quite a disparity between the 25-year-old fighter's claims and reliable sources like Sherdog and Tapology.
According to Sherdog, Dorobshokh Nabotov has an amateur record of 8-3 and a pro record of 8-0. His Tapology record, however, says he's a 5-1 amateur and a 7-0 pro. These numbers are quite different from the 9-0 record the Tajikistani claimed during the press conference.
What the sources seemed to agree on is the fact that Nabotov's last three fights had two finishes and one decision. He TKO'd Murad Abdulazimov in early 2022, submitted veteran Sanjar Azhibaev in July 2022, and then won over Murad Bilarov in November 2023.
By the time he fights at The Korean Zombie's promotion in December, it will be Dorobshokh Nabotov's first fight in over a year.