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Abdullaev's 19-second KO earns Dana White's 'greatest talent in DWCS history' verdict

Kyrgyz lightweight Akbar Abdullaev needed just 19 seconds to knock out Ednilson Barros Santos at DWCS Season 10 Week 6, prompting UFC CEO Dana White to call the undefeated prospect possibly the greatest talent in the show's ten-year history. Four fighters earned UFC contracts on the night, taking the season total to a record 28.

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Abdullaev's 19-second KO earns Dana White's 'greatest talent in DWCS history' verdict
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Akbar Abdullaev delivered the most talked-about moment of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10 on Week 6, finishing Ednilson Barros Santos with a single punch just 19 seconds into their lightweight bout — drawing an extraordinary declaration from UFC CEO Dana White that the undefeated Kyrgyz prospect may be the greatest talent the show has ever produced.

“That punch sounded like a baseball bat,” White said after the finish. “I’m gonna go out on a limb here and I’m gonna call you possibly the greatest talent that has been on this show in 10 years. I think that you are going to be a huge superstar and a very big threat in this sport. I can’t wait to see you fight again. Welcome to the UFC.”

Abdullaev, now 14-0 with a 100 percent finishing rate, was one of four fighters to earn a UFC contract on the night. The evening’s other contract winners were Luis Pajuelo, Igor Cavalcanti, and Mayton Perea.

Pajuelo’s welterweight contest was singled out by White as an “incredible fight” between “two dogs blasting each other with big shots,” with Pajuelo ultimately getting the finish after both men survived heavy punishment and submission attempts.

Cavalcanti made equally short work of Oscar Ravello in their middleweight matchup, taking just 98 seconds to drag Ravello to the canvas and end the fight with heavy ground-and-pound. “Total and absolute violence,” White said. “Couldn’t have performed better.”

In the main event, Ecuador’s Mayton Perea stopped the previously undefeated Zevan Hunt in 45 seconds with a vicious flurry of punches, earning White’s praise and a UFC deal.

The one fighter to leave without a contract was featherweight Tyshawn Williams, who went the distance to beat the experienced Antonio Monteiro by unanimous decision. White told the 9-0 prospect he liked what he saw but wanted more, offering Williams a second appearance on the Contender Series rather than a direct UFC signing.

The four new signings push Season 10’s contract total to 28 — the most awarded at this stage in the show’s history across any of its ten seasons.

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