All new behind-the-scenes footage is being released as part of UFC’s three-part series on Roku, which includes a matchmaking moment between UFC CEO Dana White and former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
On Friday, UFC’s new in-depth series on Roku dropped and has been pumping out raw footage that has never been seen before. Whether it’s Jon Jones receiving bad news about his injury prior to UFC 295 or Aljamain Sterling being talked into accepting his title fight against Sean O’Malley, fight fans are getting to see intimate moments that are usually private.
This also includes a matchmaking meeting that ended up involving Nurmagomedov.
White and company were discussing a fight card in Abu Dhabi and were trying to figure out who undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov should fight. Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was brought up and UFC brass was immediately interested. Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz was at the UFC offices at the time and White found him to discuss the potential booking.
To much surprise, Abdelaziz countered White’s offer with a matchup between Usman and former title challenger Stephen Thompson. White was confused, but after saying the winner of Usman vs. Rakhmonov would receive a title shot Khabib stepped in to accept the offer. It was a pretty cool moment that fans rarely get to see.
Check it out below:
Behind the scenes footage of UFC matchmaking in the welterweight division.
The UFC wanted to book Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Kamaru Usman in Abu Dhabi but Ali Abdelaziz told Dana White that Kamaru wanted to fight Stephen Thompson.#UFC #MMA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 8, 2024