Through seven seasons and a three-episode Brazilian capsule season, the annual talent search competition has sent 245 athletes forward to the Octagon, ranging from promising neophytes and hyped prospects to competitors getting a second chance in the UFC and veteran hands finally reaching the biggest stage in the sport, and everything in between.
Order UFC 294: Makhachev vs Volkanovski 2
Ikram Aliskerov is one of those rare DWCS grads that hit the UFC immediately ready to be thrust into the depths of the middleweight division, and the 30-year-old Russian did just that, registering a first-round knockout win over Phil Hawes in his promotional debut in May.
„The fight went well. It is always a pleasant feeling when you win the fight, especially since it was the first time at such a high level,” Aliskerov said of his debut win, just a couple days ahead of his return to action against Warlley Alves on this weekend’s UFC 294 pay-per-view main card. “When Bruce Buffer announces your name…”
He paused momentarily, collecting the right words.
RELATED: Fighters On The Rise
“I’ve being working and going toward this for a long time,” he continued. “To be honest, emotions were overwhelming at that moment.”
Waltzing into the Octagon for the first time and defeating Hawes not only served as a breakout performance for the former Combat Sambo world champion, but it also validated those early projections that suggested he could climb the ranks quickly, and had the promotion ready to put Aliskerov’s skills to the test in a major way for his sophomore appearance.
For a couple weeks over the summer, the streaking middleweight newcomer was penciled in opposite former title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, a booking that came as a surprise to many, including Aliskerov.
“Truthfully, at first, I was a little surprised when such an opponent was offered; I thought they
were joking,” admitted the streaking hopeful, who carries a six-fight winning streak into his bout with Alves in Abu Dhabi. “But when they called and said that there was a contract, he signed it, and was ready to fight me, I was happy.
MORE UFC 294: Makhachev Fight Week Interview | Fight By Fight Preview | UFC 294 Embedded
“This was a great opportunity to quickly get into the Top 10.”
The bout was scuttled, but the simple fact that the UFC was willing to pair him off with a perennial contender and former title challenger in just his second appearance sent a clear message to everyone that the 14-1 middleweight was someone they viewed as a potential threat in the 185-pound weight class.
After his summer assignment evaporated, Aliskerov was booked for this weekend’s event at Etihad Arena.
Originally scheduled to face off with Top 15 fighter Nassourdine Imavov, that pairing fell apart, as well, with former Ultimate Fighter Brazil winner Warlley Alves stepping up in his stead, allowing Aliskerov to remain on the star-studded card and finally make his second march into the UFC Octagon on Saturday.
“The first time, the debut, always feels a little different,” he said when asked about going through his second UFC fight week experience and being a part of the pay-per-view main card. “It’s never the same as your debut; with your debut, you’re more nervous. This time around, I’m more focused, very ready, very excited to show a fun fight for everybody.
“For the second fight, it’s very exciting to be featured on a card like this, but, to be honest, no matter what, I’m still focused on the fight. I’m not thinking any extra thoughts about how cool or whatever this is for me. Most important is the fight — to make the weight and be ready for Saturday.”
Shifting from facing off with the taller, rangier Imavov to sharing the Octagon with Alves, who returns to middleweight for the first time since his TUF Brazil tournament win over Marcio Alexandre Jr. in the spring of 2014, presents a vastly different stylistic matchup which, in turn, could force Aliskerov to have to scrap his initial game plan and craft something entirely new on less than two weeks’ notice.
But between the wealth of quality experience he garnered prior to arriving in the UFC, the impressive performance he turned in against Hawes in his debut, and the rock-steady belief he has in his preparation and skills, the Russian sophomore isn’t particularly worried about the shift.
“It doesn’t really matter for me,” he said nonchalantly. “I understand it’s short notice, but the fact of the matter is that if they had put (Israel) Adesanya or anyone else in front of me, I would have accepted the right and I would have been ready.
“The goal is the same, the preparation is the same, and with me being ready, I should be ready for any opponent at any time.”
It’s that mindset and that readiness to step in with anyone— Costa, Imavov, Alves, or Adesanya — this early into his UFC tenure that contributes to the belief that Aliskerov could make a rapid ascent in a middleweight division that looks very different than it did just six months ago.
But it’s one thing for pundits to talk about your upside, and for you to express your desire to move swiftly through the ranks; actually taking that path is something entirely different, but it’s exactly what the streaking hopeful wants if he gets through Alves this weekend.
“I think I should be ready for any fight; I should be able to accept fights, stay active, be ready for any fighter, any time,” said Aliskerov, laying out his outlook on his career and how to advance in the division. “I’m hoping that very soon I’m going to get a top-ranked fighter, somebody in the Top 10.
I really hope the UFC will give me a chance to show myself against somebody in the Top 10, and as long as I keep staying ready, keep accepting these fights and staying active, I think I’ll be able to get to the top really quick.”
As for how he extends his current winning streak to seven at UFC 294, the promising new arrival believes the formula is quite simple.
“Just stay myself, be myself, and keep doing my work; that’s all it takes.”
