After being forced out of the match-up back in February, Contender Series winner Islam Dulatov made his octagon debut at UFC 318, taking on Adam Fugitt in welterweight action.
Dulatov had not lost since his professional debut in 2019; Fugitt was 2-2 in the company and coming off a victory against Josh Quinlan.
The fight opened with Fugitt backing up, allowing Dulatov to take the center and dictate the pace. Dulatov quickly found his range with sharp straight rights and well-placed leg kicks. Fugitt looked to change the momentum with a takedown attempt along the cage, but Dulatov secured underhooks and circled out.
Moments later, Dulatov came in with two vicious knees that narrowly missed ending the fight early. Fugitt responded with a well-timed single leg that briefly pushed Dulatov to the fence, but once again, Dulatov escaped with clean footwork.
Dulatov then landed a crisp one-two combination, while Fugitt answered with an inside leg kick. But it was Dulatov’s check left hook that changed everything: he dropped Fugitt clean, and the follow-up shots sealed the knockout.
After the win, and having taken no damage, Islam Dulatov told Daniel Cormier he’d be ready to go to work at his other job on Monday — as a model.
Official Result: Islam Dulatov def. Adam Fugitt by knockout (left hook), Round 1, 4:06
