Islam Dulatov believes he can hang with UFC’s top 5 welterweights right now.
It’s a strong stance to take after just one fight in the promotion, but Dulatov (12-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is as confident as they come. So much so that the high-fashion runway model has designs on fighting for the UFC title by the end of next year.
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First things first, Dulatov has to make sure his sophomore appearance in the octagon is as impressive as his debut against Adam Fugitt. Entering as a massive favorite, Dulatov lived up to his hype with a violent first-round finish. At UFC Fight Night 282 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, Dulatov welcomes Wellington Turman back to action – and once again, he’s a gigantic favorite.
“To be honest, between skills, I don’t see a big difference between me and guys in the top five,” Dulatov told UFC.com. “It’s not a big difference skill-wise, just experience in the cage. This is the only thing which these guys have more than me is the cage experience. They all have 10 fights, 15 fights in the UFC. This is the only difference. I just need a couple more fights, and I will be there as well.”
With a 100 percent finish rate, Dulatov believes he can compete against anyone and wants the chance to prove it – quickly. He wants to be in the title picture by the end of 2027 and now knows he has to put his modeling career on the back burner to achieve his fighting dreams.
Rapid ascents in the welterweight division are rare, but if Dulatov continues to erase his opponents and look good while doing it, there’s no telling what’s in his immediate future.
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“The goal for the rest of this year would be to fight one more time minimum,” Dulatov said. “For next year, it’s definitely the belt. I’m now 27, so slowly, I’m coming in my prime. I need to finish these people, win the fights, and get this belt. That’s the plan.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC’s Islam Dulatov eyes quick run to welterweight title
