Islam Dulatov has confirmed he will compete under the Turkish flag at UFC Abu Dhabi. The Chechen-German fighter made the announcement at the event's media day.
Islam Dulatov announced at UFC Abu Dhabi media day that he will compete under the Turkish flag, marking a notable shift in national representation for the Chechen-German prospect.
Dulatov, nicknamed "The Ripper," carries a professional record of 12 wins and 1 loss at just 27 years of age. He trains out of Triple One Gym and stands six-foot-three tall at 191 centimeters, with a reach of 75 inches. The orthodox striker has built a reputation as one of the more aggressive finishers in his division, landing an impressive 8.78 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate. He also adds a wrestling dimension to his game, averaging 2.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him the tools to control a fight at multiple ranges.
Previously representing Germany, Dulatov made the announcement himself at the event's official media day, stepping forward to declare he would now fight under the Turkish flag going forward.
Why it matters
- The flag change could raise Dulatov's profile in Turkey, a growing market for the UFC in the region
- Abu Dhabi has become a significant destination on the UFC calendar, giving the announcement immediate visibility
- At 27 with a near-perfect record, Dulatov is entering what figures to be a pivotal stretch of his career, and the national affiliation shift adds a layer of storyline to his next performance
