PHILADELPHIA – Myktybek Orolbai is taking it step by step, but he plans to climb the ultimate mountain of the UFC.
Riding a three-fight winning streak, Orolbai (16-2-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is breaking out the English – and it's pretty good – ahead of his UFC 330 bout on Saturday vs. Jeremiah Wells. The bout takes place in Philadelphia, two hours from where Wells (13-4-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) grew up.
Enemy territory? Orolbai is used to it.
"No problem," Orolbai said. "I'm everyday in the gym training two to three times, brother. My second fight was a Brazilian fighter. It was Elves Brener. (Same with) Tofiq Musayev (in) Azerbaijan, Baku. Whatever country, I go. No problem, brother. I like my opponent, country, and fight. I like. I'm ready."
While he doesn't mind
traveling, experiencing all of the homecomings has made him want one of his own. The UFC has never been to Kyrgyzstan, but Orolbai hopes to change that. Give him a couple years, he said.
"This year, maybe. After two or three years, maybe UFC comes. Inshallah," Orolbai said. "... Very good. (I'd be) very happy. Kyrgystan and UFC, wow, brother. You know, my country's fans, brother? Seven million people, brother. Everything is fun. MMA is liked in my country."
Orolbai, 28, has largely dominated his UFC tenure outside of a split decision loss to Mateusz Rebecki in October 2024. His progression up the UFC rankings has been slightly delayed as two fights in a row were elevated up to a catchweight due to his struggles cutting.
Now comfortable at welterweight, Orolbai isn't second guessing the past. It's onto the future, and his aspirations are big.
"I am very future champion," Orolbai said. "... Saturday when the door closed is a surprise. Surprise, inshallah. (I will show) everything, cage door closes. Everything."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Myktybek Orolbai enters UFC 330 with 'future champion' mindset, dreams of Kyrgyzstan card
