Historic culmination of Kazakhstan's UFC competition, leaving spectators awestruck
In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), the Ultimate Fighter (TUF) reality show serves as a talent pipeline for the UFC, providing a platform for up-and-coming fighters to showcase their skills. Recently, Aliabi Idris, a Kazakh fighter, competed in UFC 319 in Chicago, USA, where he faced off against Joseph Morales in a lightweight division match. The fight, scheduled for three rounds, was the final of The Ultimate Fighter show.
Unfortunately for Idris, he suffered his first loss in professional MMA, with Morales securing a submission victory in the second round. Despite this defeat, Idris' performance did not go unnoticed. Kamil Gadzhiev, head of the Fight Nights promotion, expressed interest in seeing Idris in the UFC after his loss in the TUF final.
Gadzhiev also raised an interesting question regarding TUF finalists and their eligibility for the UFC roster. Contrary to popular belief, losing the TUF final does not disqualify a fighter from competing in the UFC. The UFC does not have publicly stated formal rules that automatically exclude a fighter from eligibility if they lose in the TUF final.
In practice, fighters who lose in the TUF final generally remain eligible to compete in the UFC as contracted fighters, often receiving UFC contracts whether they win or lose. Any eligibility or contract continuation depends on UFC management decisions, fighter performance, and adherence to UFC policies rather than solely on the outcome of the TUF final match.
Moreover, fighters must comply with UFC regulations, including anti-doping testing and contractual agreements, to be eligible for official rankings or fights. New or returning fighters must be in the UFC’s anti-doping testing pool for a minimum period before competing, usually six months.
Interestingly, experts have named Shavkat Rahmonov as a potential future UFC champion, further emphasising the opportunities available to TUF finalists within the UFC. As the MMA scene continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how these talented fighters rise through the ranks.
Sports enthusiasts might be intrigued to know that losing in the Ultimate Fighter final doesn't mean instant disqualification from Mixed-martial-arts' premier league, the UFC. Comparably, Shavkat Rahmonov, a potential future UFC champion, is a testament to the numerous opportunities available to TUF finalists in the expansive MMA scene.
