Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Lightweight Myktybek Orolbai has a legendary name behind him, and coming out of UFC 301 in Rio, the Kyrgyzstani fighter was sure to give him credit for a win over Elves Brener.
That name would be Urijah Faber, who Orolbai first linked up with a couple of years ago.
“Urijah Faber helps me a lot. I met him two years ago, and I always see him every day in the gym. I feel like I’m getting better on a daily basis,” Orolbai told Cageside Press following UFC 301, going on to thank his coach.
Aside from thanking Faber, Orolbai noted the support he had at home heading into the bout, and dedicated the fight to both Kyrgyzstan and his team.
“I had a lot of support, my whole country was supporting me. And this fight is dedicated, the win is dedicated to my team, my coaches and my country.”
Training for the showdown with Brener, who was fighting at home in Brazil, was complicated by timing. “I knew we were getting into a tough fight. I was doing actually Ramadan, and I had almost a month where I was fasting,” noted Orolbai, who observed the Muslim holy month despite having a fight booked. “It took me about 25 days to prepare for the fight, again it was a tough fight and a very good opponent.”
With a win over a fellow lightweight up-and-comer under Brener improving his overall record to 13-1-1, Myktybek Orolbai now has his sights set on working up the lightweight division.
“Since I’m 18 years old my goal was actually to be in the UFC and raise the flag of Krygistan in the UFC,” stated Orolbai. “Now my goal is to break into the top 15, and I’m going to take the title.”
Then, forgoing his translator, Orolbai added “I am future champion UFC. 155.”
Watch the full UFC 301 post-fight press conference with Myktybek Orolbai above.
