UFC newcomer Islam Dulatov abandoned modeling career to chase dream

LAS VEGAS – Islam Dulatov had a straightforward profession posing for prime trend magazines, however the modeling life didn’t carry him the identical pleasure as preventing inside a cage.

Dulatov (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is without doubt one of the newest UFC newcomers after impressing UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers with a spectacular first-round finish at Dana White’s Contender Series 75. Now, the previous mannequin is a UFC fighter.

From modeling for Versace, Hugo Boss, and many others, Dulatov has now absolutely traded in his fancy garments for a Venum combat package, and it’s exactly the place he needs to be.

“(I labored for) each model which is sort of a huge title,” Dulatov mentioned at a post-fight information convention when requested about his modeling profession. “I did numerous trend weeks and all that stuff, however to be sincere, I favor preventing greater than modeling.”

At the same time as an up-and-comer on the regional scene, Dulatov handed up larger paychecks to be in entrance of the digicam to combat, which he admits was not one of the best monetary resolution on the time.

“I canceled numerous shootings after I was youthful,” Dulatov mentioned. “We had some issues with cash and all the pieces. This time, modeling was actually serving to me with my scenario. I bear in mind after I canceled a taking pictures for $5,000. At the moment, that was some huge cash for me.

“The combat, which was the identical day, was for like 200 euros or one thing like that. … On the finish of the second, the combat was canceled too as a result of my opponent had an damage. I had these conditions like 10 instances, with much more cash and all the pieces. However to be sincere, I like to be a fighter and that’s what I do.”

Being a fighter and a mannequin comes with the apparent danger of messing up the money-maker. Dulatov, 26, is a quick finisher who has ended 10 of his 11 professional fights within the first spherical. He solely recalled one specific occasion the place he confirmed as much as a shoot after a combat with a bruised eye.

“I had a taking pictures for GQ, and after I go to the shoot casting, they go, ‘What is that this? Blue eye?’” Dulatov mentioned. “I’m going, ‘Yeah.’ They are saying, ‘Oh, it’s cool. It’s extra genuine. It reveals what you actually are.’ As a result of within the mannequin enterprise, the individuals already all know me, they know that I do preventing.

“My company, in the beginning, they was hating it, however with time they noticed, ‘OK, this man won’t ever cease preventing, so we’ve got to simply accept it.’”

The Chechnya-born fighter has put modeling on the again burner for now. He’ll nonetheless carry out in entrance of the digicam, however as a brand new UFC welterweight with vicious ending expertise.