LAS VEGAS – Islam Dulatov had a straightforward profession posing for top vogue magazines, however the modeling life didn’t carry him the identical pleasure as combating inside a cage.
Dulatov (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is likely one of the newest UFC newcomers after impressing UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers with a spectacular first-round end at Dana White’s Contender Sequence 75. Now, the previous mannequin is a UFC fighter.
From modeling for Versace, Hugo Boss, and plenty of others, Dulatov has now totally traded in his fancy garments for a Venum struggle equipment, and it’s exactly the place he needs to be.
“(I labored for) each model which is sort of a huge identify,” Dulatov stated at a post-fight information convention when requested about his modeling profession. “I did numerous vogue weeks and all that stuff, however to be sincere, I desire combating greater than modeling.”
Whilst an up-and-comer on the regional scene, Dulatov handed up larger paychecks to be in entrance of the digital camera to struggle, which he admits was not the most effective monetary choice on the time.
“I canceled numerous shootings once I was youthful,” Dulatov stated. “We had some issues with cash and all the things. This time, modeling was actually serving to me with my scenario. I keep in mind once I canceled a capturing for $5,000. Right now, that was some huge cash for me.
“The struggle, which was the identical day, was for like 200 euros or one thing like that. … On the finish of the second, the struggle was canceled too as a result of my opponent had an damage. I had these conditions like 10 occasions, with much more cash and all the things. 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 explicit occasion the place he confirmed as much as a shoot after a struggle with a bruised eye.
“I had a capturing for GQ, and once I go to the shoot casting, they go, ‘What is that this? Blue eye?’” Dulatov stated. “I am going, ‘Yeah.’ They are saying, ‘Oh, it’s cool. It’s extra genuine. It exhibits what you actually are.’ As a result of within the mannequin enterprise, the individuals already all know me, they know that I do combating.
“My company, at first, they was hating it, however with time they noticed, ‘OK, this man won’t ever cease combating, 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 digital camera, however as a brand new UFC welterweight with vicious ending abilities.
Make sure to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
