Exclusive: Muhidin Abubakar Turns Down ONE Championship Deal as He Waits for UFC Call

With a 13-1 professional record and 10 consecutive victories, Muhidin Abubakar believes he has built a résumé that can no longer be ignored.

Speaking exclusively to Combat Evolved, the FightStar Championship flyweight champion revealed he is staying ready as he waits for the UFC call.

“I’m just waiting for something big to come along.”

His last two victories have come by first-round stoppage, including his most recent win at FightStar Championship 37 in August.

“In the flyweight division, if you’re getting finishes like in my last two fights, even before, eventually you’re going to become undeniable.”

Abubakar says his management has repeatedly told him that the UFC is interested and has his name shortlisted, but the wait for an opportunity has been frustrating.

“They always say, ‘The UFC, they’re interested. They got their eyes on you. You’re shortlisted.’

“You think you're so close.

“Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I’ve been going in the tunnel for so long.”

The FightStar Championship champion believes interest in his UFC ambitions now extends beyond the UK, with fans from around the world waiting to see whether he will finally get his opportunity.

With that opportunity potentially coming at any time, Abubakar continues to train consistently with ‘near-enough’ the same mentality as if he were in a full fight camp.

His manager has also encouraged him to remain active rather than simply wait for the UFC, particularly after Abubakar spent months hoping to secure a place on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this year.

“I waited the whole year because I fought last year in December, and then I was hoping to get in Contender Series in the summer.

“So I just waited, just focused on my game, improving certain things, and then it didn't come.”

Despite waiting for the UFC, Abubakar has already attracted interest from another major promotion.

He revealed to Combat Evolved that ONE Championship had approached him on multiple occasions, with the latest approach including an offer to sign a multi-fight deal.

However, Abubakar remains laser-focused on reaching the UFC and said he did not even ask about the financial terms before turning down the offer.

“At this moment in time, I’m not willing to entertain anything else.”

Speaking later in the interview about the ONE Championship approach, he added:

“They reached out a few times, but this time they specifically said they wanted to sign me to a multi-fight deal.

“I didn't even think to ask, like, how much was it? There's no desire.”

That does not mean Abubakar plans to sit around. His manager has encouraged him to remain active, and he remains open to the right fight at FightStar Championship while waiting for his UFC opportunity.

His successful relationship with FightStar Championship CEO Raj Singh gives him a reason to continue competing there, with Abubakar also holding the promotion’s flyweight championship.

He is already considering a return, potentially on a London card or even sooner if the right opportunity appears in Manchester, and wants to fight again before the end of the year.

The UFC's upcoming international events could provide Abubakar with the moment he has been waiting for.

Abu Dhabi, Qatar or Saudi Arabia would all be ideal options for him, even on short notice.

“Short notice, I'll fight anywhere.

“I’ll fight in America... as long as obviously I can make weight and whatnot. Doesn't matter where.”

Abubakar revealed that his management has previously put his name forward for short-notice UFC opportunities, although none have come to fruition.

Should another opportunity arise, he remains ready to answer the call.

For Abubakar, reaching the UFC would represent more than another milestone in his career.

Born in the UK to Somali parents who came to the country as refugees, Abubakar fights under the Somali flag and believes becoming the first Somali fighter to compete in the UFC could have an impact far beyond his own career.

He knows that, for some people, seeing a Somali flag inside the Octagon might initially feel unfamiliar, which is something he hopes to change.

“For a kid to see someone on TV that they know or something that they can resonate with, it's something big.

“And it's inspiring for those people.”

Abubakar is conscious of the difficulties faced by young people in Somalia and believes representation can have an impact beyond combat sports.

“A lot of these kids are in poverty, going through hardship, a country torn by war over how many years?

“So even just to have a small impact on someone, inspire them, and it doesn't have to be MMA. You can just be inspiring someone to believe in themselves... and understand that anything's possible.”

The possibility of becoming the first Somali UFC fighter is something supporters regularly remind him about, including just days before his interview with Combat Evolved.

“Sometimes I forget about it and then someone will mention it, ‘Oh, we're waiting for you to be the first Somali in the UFC.’

“People say this. Someone said this to me like two days ago, and I've heard it loads of times.”

For Abubakar, the significance becomes even greater when he considers the possibility of seeing Somalia represented at the highest level of MMA for the first time.

“When you really think about it, to see a nation that's never been represented in this realm, at that level... the UFC is the crème de la crème.

“You can only wait for that moment.”

After spending years fighting his way through the regional scene, Abubakar admits it can be difficult to remain motivated while waiting for his opportunity.

“It’s hard to wake up and be motivated to fight these guys. Obviously, I'm doing what I need to do, but it's like I'm fighting myself.

“How much more do I have to do and how long am I gonna have to fight these guys?”

For Abubakar, part of that frustration comes from believing that the opponents who could prove where he truly belongs are already competing inside the UFC.

“The guys who are on my level, guess where they are? They're in the UFC, so I can't win.”

Despite that frustration, his focus remains on his own development while he waits.

“The main thing that I focus on is getting better.”

Abubakar also reflected on the development of the UFC flyweight division, pointing to the increased competitiveness and attention surrounding the division today and giving credit to champion Joshua Van.

With plenty of intriguing matchups at 125 pounds, Abubakar believes fighters operating at his level are already competing inside the Octagon.

After 10 consecutive victories and back-to-back first-round finishes, his immediate goal remains unchanged: stay ready, continue improving and wait for the UFC call he believes he has earned.