Ariel Helwani has made a comparison between the 9-0 fighter who hijacked the UFC 308 press conference and Santino Marella, with both men getting shots in world-class organizations after emerging from the crowd.
Yesterday, Dorobshokh Nabotov took his opportunity on the microphone to ask for an opportunity in the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. And it appears he’ll be rewarded for his efforts.
Ariel Helwani gives his stance on whether the Dorobshokh Nabotov situation was ‘a work’
On April 16, 2007, WWE traveled to Milan, Italy, for a night fans remember fondly. In an entertaining storyline, Vince McMahon handpicked a man from the crowd to take on Umaga for the Intercontinental title.
In a major upset, the fan, who turned out to be Santino Marella, somehow managed to defeat the monster to claim one of the most prestigious belts in all of wrestling.
Of course, the match was scripted, and the future wrestling superstar was planted in the crowd, knowing full well his title-winning moment awaited.
Nonetheless, it was still extremely enjoyable for the fans. And now, almost 20 years later, a similar situation has unfolded in the UFC.
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However, the MMA promotion doesn’t follow a script, and instead lives in a world of reality.
Thus, when Dorobshokh Nabotov hijacked yesterday’s press conference to plead for his opportunity to compete in the organization, the crowd went wild.
And while some have questioned whether the Tajikistan fighter was planted in the crowd, Ariel Helwani isn’t convinced.
After analyzing the situation, the journalist has come to the conclusion that it was entirely organic.
On the Ariel Helwani Show, he said: “I think that’s almost giving them too much credit. If it was a work, I think it’s brilliant. Mickey Gall got his shot by being the ‘CM Punk kid’.
“He got on the microphone, he said, ‘I want to beat CM Punk’. They signed him, they put him in that tournament against Mike Jackson, he gets the CM Punk fight, and that became his identity for years.
“There’s a very famous angle in WWE, they were in Italy, they had a wrestler planted in the front row, named Santino Marella.
“He raises his hand saying, ‘I want to get my shot’. They put him in there, I think, against Umaga. He has an incredible moment, and then all of a sudden, he’s the guy from Italy who was picked out of the crowd. It’s almost the exact same thing.
“So, I was just thinking, ‘Wow, could you imagine if they actually planted this kid in there and said you be the kid who raises his hand and gets the opportunity to live out his dream by doing this’? It’s brilliant.
“I don’t think that’s what happened.”
Dana White says he’s given 9-0 MMA star who invaded UFC 308 press conference a fight date
While yesterday was meant to be all about Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway, it was undeniably Dorobshokh Nabotov who grasped the attention of the MMA community.
As the old adage goes, ‘If you don’t buy a ticket, you don’t win the raffle’. And it seems the fighter won big.
After pleading with Dana White for a shot in the most famous MMA promotion in the world, it appears his dream is one step closer to coming to fruition.
The UFC CEO has now confirmed the date he’s given the confident athlete to prove he has what it takes to make it in his organization.
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