[embedded content]
Although the official record might say otherwise, Isaac Dulgarian still sees himself as an undefeated fighter.
Dulgarian (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) suffered his first and only loss in MMA to Christian Rodriguez last year at a UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas. It was a close fight that went the distance, with Rodriguez winning a split decision. Two judges scored the fight 28-27 for Rodriguez, and the third one saw it the same way but for Dulgarian. It’s worth noting that out of the 11 media members who entered a score for the fight on MMA Decisions, nine had Dulgarian winning and two had it a draw.
Dulgarian feels he won that night, and that feeling hasn’t let him – even a year removed from the fight.
“In my mind, I’m undefeated,” Dulgarian told MMA Junkie Radio. “Yeah, I lost to Christian Rodriguez, but everyone who watched that fight knows I won the fight. So in my mind, I’m undefeated as well. Sure, my record says I lost one, but it doesn’t feel like it to me.”
Dulgarian returns to the octagon on Nov. 1 at UFC Fight Night 263 – which is set to go down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He takes on Cuba’s Yadier del Valle, who’s undefeated in his MMA career.
“I knew who he was because I had seen him fight on Dana White Contender Series,” Dulgarian said. “I watch it every Tuesday. I forget the guy he fought, like Montiero or something, a Brazilian guy, but it was a great fight and I remember watching it. I knew who he was.”
Dulgarian doesn’t feel any time of way towards del Valle. Being 2-1 in the UFC, he feels he’s in no position to be asking for names, so he’s fine getting matchup with del Valle, who’s coming off a successful UFC debut in May.
“It’s just another name, man,” Dulgarian said. “I’m still at the beginning of my career. I just signed my second contract, so I don’t really have a say on who I get, but whenever they call me, I answer the phone and tell them yes. That’s where we’re at.”
