Dulatov Rules Out Makhachev Fight

Islam Dulatov has made clear that a future meeting with UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is not a matchup he wants. Speaking at UFC Abu Dhabi media day, Dulatov said he would refuse the fight despite being a rising prospect in the same division. The 27-year-old described the issue as larger than competitive ambition, pointing to his Chechen background, Makhachev’s roots in neighboring Dagestan and the potential for political attention around two fighters named Islam facing one another.

Dulatov’s comments arrive as he prepares to return after more than a year away. He is scheduled to face Wellington Turman at Saturday’s UFC Abu Dhabi event, an opportunity to remind viewers of the finishing ability that has fueled expectations around his rise at 170 pounds. Rather than framing a champion-versus-contender scenario as a goal, however, Dulatov stressed that he is only at the beginning of his career and said it does not make sense to discuss a bout with Makhachev at this stage. His position is notable because it is a direct answer about a possible divisional matchup, not simply a statement that the contest is unlikely in the immediate future.

Dulatov explains why he would say no

Asked whether he would fight Makhachev, Dulatov answered, “No way. No.” He said the two men do not know each other, but added that he had met Khabib Nurmagomedov once and views “these people” as big brothers. Dulatov then said, “Islam vs Islam, I think it’s not so nice.” His explanation connected identity, geography and the public reaction he believes the matchup could generate. “He’s from Dagestan, I’m from Chechnya,” Dulatov said. “There would also be a lot of political stuff if two guys named Islam would fight against each other.”

That distinction matters in understanding the news. Dulatov was not describing an injury, a contractual obstacle or a disagreement over timing. He was expressing a personal refusal based on how he sees a fight with Makhachev and the context surrounding it. He also acknowledged the gap between their current positions, saying Makhachev is champion while he is just beginning his career. Dulatov’s remarks therefore set out both parts of his stance: he does not want the contest, and he does not consider it a sensible topic while he is still building his way through the welterweight field. The statement leaves his immediate focus on Turman rather than on title talk.

Abu Dhabi return follows two UFC finishes

Dulatov enters the Abu Dhabi card with two knockout finishes in front of UFC audiences. He earned a UFC contract with an elbow knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024. Last year, he finished Adam Fugitt in one round on the undercard of Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight in Louisiana. Those results are the available basis for the anticipation around his progress, but they do not change the position he gave about Makhachev. Dulatov is also set to represent Turkey beginning this weekend after flying the German flag following his UFC signing. Born in Chechnya, he described that regional connection as central to why a meeting with the Dagestani champion would not interest him.

• Dulatov’s immediate confirmed assignment is Wellington Turman at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25.
• Makhachev’s confirmed next fight is a first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15.

For now, Dulatov’s public message is unambiguous: he does not want to share the cage with Makhachev. His return against Turman is the next confirmed step in his own career, while Makhachev’s title defense against Machado Garry is scheduled for August 15. Any future discussion of Dulatov’s route through the division has to account for the boundary he drew at media day.

Sources: Bloody Elbow