Islam Dulatov has moved away from any talk of a future fight with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, citing his respect for Makhachev’s circle and the possible political attention around a matchup between two fighters named Islam from Chechnya and Dagestan. Dulatov instead returns to action this weekend against Wellington Turman at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Why Islam Dulatov Says a Fight With Islam Makhachev Could Become Political
Speaking to DAZN ahead of his fight this weekend, Dulatov made clear that he does not view Makhachev as an opponent he wants to pursue. “No way. We don’t know each other, but I’ve met Khabib one time, and these people are like big brothers to me,” Dulatov said. “Islam vs. Islam is not very nice. He’s from Dagestan, I’m from Chechnya. It would also become a political issue if two guys named Islam fought each other.”
Makhachev has long been associated with former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and his Dagestani team. Dulatov’s comments point to that connection rather than any competitive disagreement with the man currently holding the 170-pound belt.
Dulatov also stressed that a fight is far from realistic in sporting terms. “But anyways, he is the champion, and I’m just at the beginning of my career. So it doesn’t even make sense to talk about it. But no, it’s not a fight I would ever be interested in.”
The 27-year-old welterweight meets Brazil’s Wellington Turman on Saturday, July 25, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The bout is part of UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Guskov and is scheduled at welterweight. Dulatov enters with a 12-1 professional record and a 1-0 UFC mark. His sole Octagon appearance ended with a first-round TKO of Adam Fugitt, a result that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
Turman, a former UFC middleweight, brings a 18-8 professional record and has competed nine times for the promotion. The matchup gives Dulatov a chance to build on his debut win, but it is still only his second UFC outing.
Dulatov has spoken confidently about his place among the division’s leading names, yet his comments on Makhachev show he is keeping the title picture in perspective. A win over Turman would extend his UFC run, while any discussion of championship opponents remains well down the road.
Islam Makhachev
Makhachev became UFC welterweight champion by defeating Jack Della Maddalena after moving up from lightweight. He previously held the UFC lightweight title and recorded key championship wins over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier during that run.
The 34-year-old is set for his first welterweight title defence against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia on August 15. Makhachev enters that bout with a 28-1 MMA record, while Garry is listed at 17-1.
For now, Dulatov’s immediate task is Turman in Abu Dhabi. Makhachev’s focus is a title defence, and Dulatov has made his position clear as a meeting between the two Islams is one conversation he would rather leave alone.
