Here’s UFC 318’s Must-Watch Prospect This Weekend

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Keep your eyes on this Welterweight ...

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) travels to “The Big Easy” this weekend (Sat., July 19, 2025) for UFC 318. In the main event, Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier collide for the third time, this time for the ‘BMF’ title.

Checkout UFC 318’s entire card here.

There are a few up-and-coming fighters featured throughout the card this weekend, but let’s give you one to really keep your eyes on.

Without further ado ...

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The last fighter from Season 8 of the Contender Series

to make his debut is Islam Dulatov, but it was well worth the wait.

Dulatov secured a contract last season by brutally knocking out his opponent with an elbow.

Check it out:

THE ELBOW PUT HIM OUT

Islam Dulatov makes his debut this weekend after his incredible knockout last year on DWCS!

[ #UFC318 | LIVE SAT 10pmET | ️: https://t.co/fBvZcAxIyH ] pic.twitter.com/NwQ5jQkG8z

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2025

“The Ripper” was born in Chechnya, Russia, but now fights out of Dusseldorf, Germany, and already has a rabid fanbase that could likely sell out a German arena. Beyond the octagon, the 26-year-old made waves as a successful Versace model.

Dulatov suffered his only professional loss in 2019 against Gjoni Palokaj but has since been unstoppable, boasting a 100 percent finish rate. All but one of his victories have come in the first round—six by knockout and five by submission—showcasing his relentless aggression.

At 6’3”, Dulatov’s athleticism and reach make him a striking menace. His crisp jab and powerful straight punches set up vicious elbows (as seen in his Contender Series win) and signature step-in knees that overwhelm opponents.

While his grappling is effective, with five submission finishes, Dulatov thrives in stand-up exchanges, where his precision and power shine.

One lingering question is his gas tank. Many new fighters who rely on early finishes struggle if pushed into later rounds, and Dulatov’s limited fight time beyond the first round leaves this untested.

Fortunately for him, he won’t likely need to worry about his stamina at UFC 318, as his opponent, Adam Fugitt, is a tailor-made matchup, and the promotion knows exactly what it’s doing.

Fugitt’s toughness and recent improvements are notable, but his vulnerability to sharp strikers makes him a near-perfect matchup for Dulatov, who is poised to deliver a highlight-reel knockout.

For what it’s worth, “The Ripper” is the biggest betting favorite on the card.

With Dulatov, the UFC has a dynamic prospect ready to carry the torch for German MMA, filling a huge absence in the region. Expect “The Ripper” to make an immediate impact.

---

Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 318 fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. ET, before the main card start time at 10 p.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 318: “Holloway vs. Poirier 3” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.

More from mmamania.com:

• Miocic Responds To Pressure From White And Cormier
• White On ‘Possibly’ Stripping Miocic
• UFC 249 Embedded: Rousey Nearly Knocked Out Cruz?
• Midnight Mania! Sterling Vs. Sandhagen Possible June 6 Headliner
• UFC 249 Odds, Under Dogs And Best Bets!
• Khabib Plans July Return, Vows To ‘Smash Them All’
• Video! Jacare Breaks Social Distancing Rules Prior To UFC 249 Removal