Myktybek Orolbai didn’t compromise on his religious duties while preparing for his latest fight. 

Orolbai (16-2) took on veteran Chris Curtis (32-13) in a welterweight matchup at UFC Vegas 114 last Saturday in Las Vegas. Orolbai dominated Curtis, landing 19 takedowns, the second most in a UFC fight in history, to earn a unanimous decision victory. 

In a preparation video leading up to the fight, Orolbai’s coach, Urijah Faber, revealed that the Kyrgyz prospect was observing Ramadan throughout camp. Ramadan is the holy month where Muslims observe fast from dawn till dusk. Faber says Orolbai would train once in the morning and again after sunset.

Discipline and Dedication

“Myktybek is kind of on autopilot,” Faber said. “He knows what he has to do, you don’t have to bug him about it, he works very hard. He’s been working smart through Ramadan. Staying with Ramadan throughout the whole month and also training a little bit in the morning and then in the evening. So we’re excited for this matchup. It’s a good matchup for him. And he has a lot of ways to win.”

Orolbai is 5-1 in the UFC, with his only loss coming via split decision in a bloodbath against Mateusz Rebecki. Orolbai has since rebounded with a three-fight winning streak.