- A fan took the microphone to ask for a contract at Thursday’s press conference
- Dana White was impressed by the fan’s confidence and invited him on stage
- The request came just two days before Ilia Topuria faces Max Holloway
In an unexpected twist at the UFC Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway press conference, a passionate fan in the crowd used a media microphone to make a bold career move, asking UFC President Dana White for a contract on the spot.
The moment left both the audience and fighters stunned, but it may have just changed the course of one man’s life.
The press conference, held ahead of the highly anticipated Topuria vs. Holloway event, saw a fan get access to the mic, typically reserved for media questions.
Instead of the usual inquiry, the fan directly asked White for a shot in the UFC. White, intrigued by the audacity, responded by asking the man for details about himself: his age, fight record, and weight class.
‘I’m 25, 9-0, and I fight at lightweight,’ the fan said confidently, igniting cheers from the crowd. Sensing the excitement, White, known for his instinct for raw talent, invited the aspiring fighter on stage.
A fan asked for a UFC contract at Thursday’s final press conference for UFC 308
Dana White was impressed by the audacity and called for the fan to join him on stage
The pair shook hands and the fan spoke to UFC officials backstage over a potential contract
In a spontaneous moment, the fan jumped the barrier and embraced White, as the arena erupted in applause. White, who seemed genuinely impressed, sent the young fighter to meet with his colleagues backstage to exchange details and arrange a proper chat.
After the brief exchange, the fan returned to his seat in the crowd, still buzzing with excitement. He expressed his gratitude to White before waving to the crowd.
The incident quickly went viral, with social media users praising the young fighter’s boldness and ambition. Mail Sport caught up with the young man after the event and he said White will be calling him later today to discuss his future.
He described the moment as potentially life changing before stating he is ready to fight at any moment.
The spontaneous moment has added yet another layer of excitement to the already electric atmosphere in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Topuria vs Holloway fight, proving that in the world of UFC, anything can happen.
Watch UFC 308 exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office from 5pm on Saturday 26 October. For more info: tntsports.co.uk/boxoffice
