After break for Ramadan, UFC's Mairbek Taisumov wants more active schedule

ZAGREB, Croatia – After fighting three times for the UFC in 2014, UFC lightweight Mairbek Taisumov’s career seemed to slow after registering just two appearances in 2015.

It didn’t help that Taisumov was unable to secure a visa for a fight at the start of this year in Boston at UFC Fight Night 81, where a scheduled meeting with ranked up-and-comer Beneil Dariush gave way to a pairing with Chris Wade.

Taisumov (24-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC), a Chechen and practicing Muslim, finally gets his start this year with a bout on Sunday against UFC newcomer Damir Hadzovic (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who’s won his past six on the international circuit, at UFC Fight Night 86. The bout is part of FOX Sports 1-televised prelims at Zagreb Arena in Zagreb, Croatia.

If Taisumov can’t secure a bout before his yearly break from fighting with this year’s Ramadan holiday, he told MMAjunkie, he wants the UFC to give him more bookings in the second half of this year. Two fights a year is a little slim.

“Now, I’m concentrating on this fight,” he said. “After this fight, I want to be more active. If I cannot fight before Ramadan, I’ll just go and fight.

“I don’t want to jump now to Rotterdam (at UFC Fight Night 87). I want to fight and concentrate for this fight, and after, we’ll see.”

Taisumov, 27, is young enough that he has time on his side. After a loss to Michel Prazeres in his second UFC outing, he’s racked up three straight wins, most recently a stunning head-kick knockout of Alan Patrick at UFC Fight Night 69 for which he received a “Performance of the Night” bonus.

Shortly after his second UFC knockout, Taisumov re-upped with the promotion for five more fights.

With no visa hurdles to clear, it’s more convenient for Taisumov to fight in Europe. The promotion’s slate of upcoming events also should help him build his name. If casual UFC fans don’t know his name, however, it’s because his recent career has been sporadic.

Taisumov expects that to change when he gets more octagon time, hopefully in the U.S.

“I’m making them respect me,” he said. “They haven’t given me the opportunity to show everything about who I am, but it’s coming.”

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And for more on UFC Fight Night 86, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.