Chechen-born mixed martial artist Islam Dulatov will officially compete under the Turkish flag in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), ending his previous sporting affiliation with Germany.
The 27-year-old confirmed that he will make his first appearance as a Turkish representative at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi.
“It is a great honor for me to represent Turkey,” Dulatov said, thanking the Turkish people for their support. He also expressed gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak.
Dulatov is scheduled to face Brazil’s Wellington Turman in a welterweight bout on July 25. The fight is part of the event’s main card.=
The contest will mark only Dulatov’s second appearance in the UFC. Despite his limited experience in the promotion, he has already emerged as one of the division’s most closely watched prospects.
In his promotional debut in the summer of 2025, Dulatov knocked out American Adam Fugitt in the first round, earning the UFC’s “Performance of the Night” bonus.
Dulatov holds a professional record of 12 wins and one loss. All 12 victories have come by stoppage, including eight by knockout and four by submission. Eleven of those wins ended in the opening round, underscoring his aggressive fighting style and high finishing rate.
Born in Russia’s Chechnya region, Dulatov moved to Germany with his family as a child. He initially pursued boxing before transitioning to mixed martial arts. Before signing with the UFC, he also worked as a fashion model, collaborating with several international brands.
Long before establishing himself in mixed martial arts, Dulatov had built a successful career in the fashion industry. After the family’s move to Germany, his older brother, Jabrail Dulatov, was discovered by a modeling scout and went on to work with leading international fashion houses. He later introduced his younger brothers—Sulumbek, Islam and Tamerlan—to the profession. All four signed with IMG Models and quickly established themselves in the international fashion industry.
Islam Dulatov has worked with brands including Versace, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce & Gabbana and Philipp Plein. In 2018, British Vogue named him among the world’s 10 most promising male models.
Unlike many of his peers in the industry, however, Dulatov chose not to pursue modeling as a long-term career. His interest in combat sports, which began in childhood, eventually took precedence, and he shifted his focus to professional mixed martial arts, where he is now regarded as one of the UFC welterweight division’s rising prospects.
His decision to compete under the Turkish flag has generated significant interest among mixed martial arts fans in Turkey. According to his manager, former Turkish Super Lig footballer İlyas Sürme, Dulatov received offers to represent several countries but ultimately chose Turkey.
The decision is also seen as significant for Turkish mixed martial arts. Turkey has invested heavily in developing the sport in recent years, and the emergence of a high-profile UFC fighter representing the country could further boost local interest in the promotion and contribute to the continued growth of MMA in the Turkish market.
A victory over Turman could move Dulatov closer to bouts against opponents ranked in the UFC’s top 15 at welterweight. Given his finishing ability, aggressive style and impressive UFC debut, a strong performance in Abu Dhabi could accelerate his rise through the division’s rankings.
