An MMA fighter's friend showed Dana White his highlight-reel of knockouts, and the UFC boss was so impressed he signed him in an instant

• A mixed martial artist called Mounir Lazzez makes his UFC debut on the second of the company's four "Fight Island" events Wednesday.
• Lazzez is considered a hometown athlete as the "Fight Island" events take place within a quarantined area of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and he lives in the neighbouring emirate of Dubai.
• Lazzez is being given a shot with the UFC because a friend of his saw the UFC president Dana White at a restaurant in Las Vegas and showed White highlight-reel footage of the knockout artist.
• White was so impressed that he signed the 31-year-old in an instant.

FIGHT ISLAND — A friend of a fighter sent Dana White his highlight-reel of knockouts, and the UFC boss was seemingly so impressed with the footage he signed him in an instant.

Mounir Lazzez recalled the story at a press event Monday, having only just stepped out of a mandatory quarantine.

Lazzez is one of 22 athletes taking part in the second of four "Fight Island" events within a safety zone on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, where the UFC is staging events until July 25.

Part of the pre-fight safety procedures include regular testing for COVID-19, temperature checks, and a 48-hour quarantine on arrival to "Fight Island."

Lazzez only had time for a coffee before he spoke to the press ahead of his UFC debut on Wednesday's "UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige" card, he said.

At a media event attended by Insider, Lazzez said: "A friend of mine since 2014, 2015, from Dubai … he saw [Dana White] at a restaurant in Las Vegas and he showed him my highlight-reel, my name was there on the tape.

"He saw my highlight-reel, followed me on social media, and put me in contact with [UFC matchmaker] Sean Selby.

"He offered me a direct fight on July 15. I get the message on social media. I said, 'Done, I'm up for it.' And put them in contact [with my management] — they got the deal done.

"Whatever you want to call it, hard work or luck, I'm here," the 31-year-old said.

Lazzez is an unheralded fighter worldwide as he has been competing for regional promotions in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, building a record of nine wins (eight knockouts and one decision) against one loss.

The UFC has matched him competitively against a fellow knockout artist in Abdul Razak Alhassan, who has a similar record with 10 wins (10 knockouts) against one loss.

Lazzez said: "It's a happy moment and I'm proud because I was always visualizing the walk to the Octagon in Las Vegas.

"But this is my door-step; I have lived in Dubai for nine or 10 years and this is a proud moment on 'Fight Island'."

On Alhassan as a debut opponent in the UFC, Lazzez said: "He's a well-rounded fighter who brings the show. And that's what I want, I don't want an easy contest. Show me a high level and I will show a high level as well."

Though Lazzez said he fights "calm and smart" he stressed he also "brings a lot of violence."

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