Akbar Abdullaev is one fight away from a potential UFC opportunity, and Open FC president Alexander Guryanov believes the unbeaten lightweight could be much more than just another Dana White's Contender Series hopeful.
Abdullaev is scheduled to face Edmilson de Jose Barros on 16 September on Dana White's Contender Series, a bout that could move him closer to a UFC contract. He enters the fight with a 13-0 record, and his recent run has only strengthened the case that he belongs on a bigger stage.
Guryanov did not hold back when talking about Abdullaev's ceiling. He said he expects both Abdullaev and Usman Nurmagomedov to debut in the UFC, and described Abdullaev as a potential dark horse at lightweight. In Guryanov's view, that is not a long-term possibility either. He believes Abdullaev could quickly become one of the best fighters in the division.
Why this fight matters
The timing adds to the significance. In September 2025, Abdullaev stopped Ibragim Dauev with a third-round technical knockout at ONE on Prime Video 35, showing the kind of finishing ability that tends to stand out on DWCS. That performance helped build momentum before his next chance arrives against Barros.
Guryanov also explained that Open FC had wanted Abdullaev to fight there in December, but his managers asked for him to be released for DWCS instead. For Open FC, the decision fits with a broader focus on developing younger fighters and giving them a path to the biggest stage.
That is why the 16 September bout carries so much weight. Abdullaev is not just trying to win another fight. He is trying to prove he can turn a strong regional and international run into immediate UFC relevance. If Guryanov's assessment proves accurate, Abdullaev could arrive in the UFC with far more than promise. He could arrive with top-five expectations.
