Islam Dulatov Wants to Fight for Title When in His Prime

New Orleans — Welterweight Islam Dulatov moonlights as a model, but as of Saturday’s UFC 318, he’s a UFC fighter with a big, bonus-winning victory in his promotional debut.

Dulatov knocked out Adam Fugitt to earn a Performance of the Night bonus on the UFC 318 prelims, in a fight originally booked for February. A long time coming, in other words (Dulatov agreed on Saturday that fight camp felt never-ending), but the outcome he was looking for. Even better than he imagined.

“I think it’s not comparable to reality, because it’s better than I ever had in my mind,” Dulatov (12-1) stated following the bout, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. “Unbelievable feeling, really. I trained so hard for this, over 10 years of my life.”

Sporting a cast following the win, Islam Dulatov revealed that he’d sustained in injury during training. “I think I broke my thumb last week in sparring already. In this fight I gave an uppercut… I don’t know what it is now, I have to check it.”

Of course, fighters never go into a bout 100% healthy, he acknowledged. “It’s okay. Part of the game.”

While he did have photoshoots booked this week, making it a good thing he didn’t take any damage to the face, Dulatov is currently focused on fighting. “I have some shoots coming up, all this stuff. A lot of things coming up. For me, it’s more important, what’s next for me in the UFC. Have to go back to the gym, start camp again, and fight soon again.”

As for when fights against ranked opponents might come for the talented welterweight prospect, he feels they’ll come when they come. No rush, in other words.

“I’m going to be honest with you guys, I want to take my time for this. I grow up, I make big steps in each fight. Actually, it will take as long as it will take. I waited so long for this opportunity to fight in the UFC. Two years or something like that. It will not change anything. I want to fight for the title when I’m in my prime. We will get there soon.”

Watch the full UFC 318 post-fight press conference with Islam Dulatov above.