LAS VEGAS – Islam Dulatov had a straightforward profession posing for prime style magazines, however the modeling life didn’t convey 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 lots of others, Dulatov has now absolutely traded in his fancy garments for a Venum battle equipment, and it’s exactly the place he desires to be.
“(I labored for) each model which is sort of a huge identify,” Dulatov mentioned at a post-fight information convention when requested about his modeling profession. “I did a number of style weeks and all that stuff, however to be trustworthy, I favor combating greater than modeling.”
At the same time as an up-and-comer on the regional scene, Dulatov handed up larger paychecks to be in entrance of the digital camera to battle, which he admits was not the perfect monetary determination on the time.
“I canceled a number of shootings after I was youthful,” Dulatov mentioned. “We had some issues with cash and the whole lot. This time, modeling was actually serving to me with my state of affairs. I bear in mind after I canceled a taking pictures for $5,000. At the moment, that was some huge cash for me.
“The battle, which was the identical day, was for like 200 euros or one thing like that. … On the finish of the second, the battle was canceled too as a result of my opponent had an harm. I had these conditions like 10 occasions, with much more cash and the whole lot. However to be trustworthy, 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 specific occasion the place he confirmed as much as a shoot after a battle with a bruised eye.
“I had a taking pictures for GQ, and after I go to the shoot casting, they go, ‘What is that this? Blue eye?’” Dulatov mentioned. “I’m 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 the start, they was hating it, however with time they noticed, ‘OK, this man won’t ever cease combating, so we’ve to just 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 expertise.
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