UFC Vegas 101: Nurullo Aliev Would Fight King Kong If He Could Make 155

Las Vegas — Tajik lightweight Nurullo Aliev returned to action at UFC Vegas 101 on Saturday, ending a nearly two year layoff.

As important as the win, perhaps, is the fact that Aliev (10-0) is once again healthy.

“After two years, I come back healthy,” Aliev stated following the fight, thanking his coaches, teammates, and the UFC. He’s go on to single out promotion CEO and President Dana White, and matchmaker Sean Shelby, saying he wanted “to make UFC happy with this comeback.”

Surgery on his leg pulled Aliev out of a planned return over a year ago, and it has not been an easy road back, he explained.

“After my surgery it was hard. My coach was telling me that I was going to come back stronger. Six months after surgery, I started working on my boxing with my boxing coach, Artem. I came back, I think after two years of not fighting, I showed a great performance.”

Opponent Joe Solecki stayed in the fight until the final bell, ultimately losing a decision.

“He’s a good grappler, but I think I also have pretty good grappling. He’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu, I’m only a blue belt. The plan was to strike with him in the stand-up, but the thing is, I was trying to strike with him and he was running away,” noted Aliev.

What’s next for Aliev? After all that time off, he’s looking to return soon, and willing to fight anyone. And he does mean anyone.

“Hopefully I’m not going to have any more injuries. I train three to four times a day, hopefully no injuries, and hopefully no injuries and I can come back. Even if King Kong will make 155, I’ll fight with him.”

Presumably he means the giant ape, and not the late King Kong Bundy.

Watch the full UFC Vegas 101 post-fight appearance by Nurullo Aliev above.