Dulatov’s Debut Left Hook Flattened Fugitt
Islam Dulatov knocked out Adam Fugitt in his UFC debut on July 19, 2025, at UFC 318. A left hook and follow-up punches ended the welterweight contest at 4:06 of the first round in New Orleans.
Distance and takedown defense established the pattern
Dulatov took the center as Fugitt moved backward, using straight right hands and leg kicks to find his range. Fugitt tried to change the exchange with a takedown attempt against the cage.
Underhooks and movement allowed Dulatov to escape. Fugitt later reached for a single leg, but again could not establish the sustained grappling position he needed to disrupt the newcomer’s striking.
The decisive hook arrived before the opening bell break
Dulatov continued mixing straight punches with knees and kicks. A sharp left hook then dropped Fugitt, creating the opening for the punches that completed the knockout.
The finish came after Dulatov had repeatedly won the exchanges at range. It turned a long-awaited debut, following an earlier February cancellation, into a forceful first impression against an experienced UFC opponent.
The win extended a streak of stoppages
Dulatov entered from Dana White’s Contender Series and had not lost since his professional debut. The Fugitt victory extended his winning run to twelve consecutive bouts, all ending inside the distance.
He also received a fifty-thousand-dollar Performance of the Night bonus. In his interview with Daniel Cormier, Dulatov referred to returning to his other work as a model, adding a memorable post-fight note to a debut defined by decisive punching power.
Sources
- Cageside Press: takedown defense, left hook and post-fight interview
- UFC: debut victory and twelve-fight stoppage streak
- UFC: official July 19 finish time
- Sherdog: debut performance bonus
