Isaac Dulgarian (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) received again into the win column after defeating Brendon Marotte (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) on the UFC occasion held Sept. 7.
Dulgarian stated he feels “fairly good” about his second-round arm triangle victory.
“Any time you go into the UFC Octagon and get a end, it’s a giant deal,” Dulgarian instructed Patch. “I don’t suppose I confirmed my full potential, but in addition, I’m very happy with my efficiency. I believe I did precisely what I used to be presupposed to do; I received him out of there and placed on a bit of beatdown, as effectively. Principally, one-way site visitors.”
Dulgarian entered the struggle with Marotte as the most important betting favourite in UFC historical past, closing on most books round -2400. He stated the popularity “speaks volumes” to what he’s accomplished in his younger profession thus far, in addition to his potential.
“Undoubtedly, I really feel like that’s a giant a part of why I used to be that huge of a favourite,” he stated. “Additionally, [Marotte] fought Terrance [McKinney] and received knocked out. However Terrance does that to all people. He even knocked out one in all my teammates very early. He’s excellent. We didn’t know a lot concerning the man. Simply to go in there and struggle my struggle with out watching any movie or video on him was an excellent feeling.
Dulgarian addressed the pre-fight strain that comes with being the largest betting odds favourite within the decades-long historical past of the promotion.
“It positively provides strain, as a result of I already know in case you lose being the largest betting favourite in UFC historical past, I’d must delete my social medias,” he stated. “Folks had been going to go loopy. There’s added strain there, but in addition, one factor that I’ve at all times recognized is that strain is a privilege. I deserved to be on this spot and I earned it. I actually suppose that’s the largest factor, is that I earned that spot.”
Dulgarian stated the wrestling-heavy strategy was “half” of his sport plan towards Marotte, however he wasn’t anticipating to lean on it as quickly into the bout as he did.
“The actual sport plan was for me to go on the market and – I had my ankles taped, I used to be able to kick – and strike with him,” Dulgarian stated. “However I actually didn’t like how he tried to take the middle after we touched gloves, so I sort of went again to my sport plan, which was, ‘OK, I do know I’m a greater grappler than you.’ His sport plan was to maintain me on my again foot so I can’t shoot as effectively and maintain fixed strain on me. I noticed as quickly because the struggle began, I used to be like, ‘That’s not taking place.’ I simply determined to not let him execute his sport plan in any respect and take it into my very own management. That’s sort of what occurred. I’m pleased with it. I want I received to point out off my placing, however it’s going to return out one other day. The great factor is, we nonetheless haven’t proven what I’m able to. I’ve mainly accomplished the identical factor in all of my fights, and I’ve a lot greater than that. At some point, I’ll have the precise opponent who will draw that out.”
Dulgarian stated he wasn’t shocked Marotte survived the spherical one onslaught on the bottom, as a result of Dulgarian seems like he let Marotte survive.
“My coaches had been telling me to be affected person and provides my photographs the entire struggle,” Dulgarian stated “Virtually all the time. Each time I began trying to end, they’d inform me to reel it again out. I believe that was an excellent factor, as a result of it reveals that I may end previous the midway level of the struggle. I caught a whole lot of flak for getting drained within the third spherical versus Christian [Rodriguez], and it was good to show to these folks I may nonetheless end late within the struggle and in addition really feel good doing it and never be drained.”
Dulgarian misplaced a cut up determination to Rodriguez in his final bout – the primary and solely lack of his skilled profession. He stated it was a “good feeling” to get again within the win column towards Marotte however feels he ought to nonetheless be undefeated.
“I really feel, personally, and I really feel most individuals nonetheless consider, I gained that struggle,” Dulgarian stated. “I didn’t stroll out of that struggle actually feeling like a loser. The one factor that made me really feel like a loser was strolling out with half my test. That was the one dangerous half about that. It feels good about being within the win column, man. Like I stated earlier, getting wins within the UFC is tough. It doesn’t come simple regardless of who your opponent is. I’m tremendous blessed to go on the market and be capable of carry out like that and are available residence with none main accidents or something like that.”
Dulgarian stated he doesn’t have any callouts however desires to struggle somebody round his degree within the featherweight division.
“I’m hoping to get on my second contract. Hopefully, that involves fruition within the subsequent struggle. Hopefully, my subsequent struggle, I’m on a brand new contract and see from there. I really feel like that was the perfect matchup the UFC gave me, my final one [versus Marotte]. The primary two, I really feel like they tried to get me a bit of bit. However I proved that I belong. Any of the newer guys coming in or guys sitting across the identical expertise as me, that will be superb.”
Dulgarian stated he plans to be able to struggle on quick discover earlier than the tip of the 12 months if wanted, because it doesn’t appear like he’ll get a struggle scheduled on common discover earlier than 2024 turns to 2025. However he “100%” desires a struggle booked by the early a part of subsequent 12 months.
“I’m wholesome and able to go proper now,” he stated. “I’m going to start out coaching, and we’ll be prepared for short-notice alternatives, most positively.”
Featured Picture credit score:Embed from Getty Photographs
