CFFC champ Badmatsyren Dorzhiev says there is no backup plan for UFC dream: 'I was born to be a fighter'
Leaving friends and family half a world away, the CFFC 130 headliner is all in on the pursuit of his passion.
Reigning CFFC champion Badmatsyren Dorzhiev has quickly established as one of the top flyweight prospects in the sport, and his success is certainly no accident. "Immortal Lotus" has sacrificed everything to chase his dream of competing in the UFC, and he might just be on the cusp of that exact invitation.
"I hope after this one, I get a contract with the UFC," Dorzhiev said. "I believe in myself. I know my skills, my techniques, my mental game, they're on that level. I'm a champion, and I want to be here, but I want to be a UFC fighter, too. I will be super happy if they send me a contract."
Hailing from the remote Russian federal subject of Zabaykalsky Krai, Dorzhiev began training in freestyle wrestling at 11. At 21, he was a student attending a university in Moscow and began training MMA, as well. That's when he knew what he wanted to do with his life.
"It was all step by step," Dorzhiev said. "I was training jiu-jitsu a little bit. Then it was a little bit of boxing. Then a little bit of muay Thai. Just out of pure joy and passion of training all these martial arts, it kind of came together. I like to conquer each martial art as it comes, and it happens that MMA is the sport for that."
After a few initial hurdles in the amateur ranks, Dorzhiev made his professional debut in 2019 and quickly moved his record to 6-0. Despite that success, he realized that he'd need to make a further commitment to his career if he wanted to reach the sport's highest level, so with less than $200 in his pocket, he traveled to Florida's American Top Team in hopes of achieving his dream.
"I knew I had to join a high-level gym, so on a whim, I decided to go to Florida," Dorzhiev said. "I wasn't in touch with anyone at the gym, and I didn't have much money to survive, but I decided to buy a ticket and go to American Top Team.
"Once I was there, I was lucky enough to meet Mike Brown and Richie Guerriero, and they gave me an opportunity to train and become part of the team, so I'm very grateful for that."
Dorzhiev moved into the American Top Team dorms, lovingly known as Horiguchi Hall, and he hasn't looked back since. He's yet to return home – and doesn't plan on doing so until he's in the UFC – but he enjoys the spartan lifestyle he's adopted for now, where his daily routine is short on luxuries but filled with exactly what he was seeking.
"This is amazing," Dorzhiev said. "I'm training at the best gym in the world. I have the best coaches in the world. The best fighters in the world are here. I'm so happy. Every day, there is good training, good sparring partners, and of course, my coach now, Mike Brown. Yeah, I'm very, very happy working with him. He's professional, and I'm happy to be here."
Dorzhiev (8-0) made his CFFC debut in July, scoring a dominant decision win over a gritty Shamel Findley to claim the promotion's vacant flyweight belt. At Friday's CFFC 130, he puts that title on the line for the first time when he meets Israel Galvan (6-3), who earned the shot with a dominant upset win over Max Quinones in September.
The title fight headlines the card, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
Dorzhiev watched Galvan's previous outing and respects what he brings to the table, but the champion is confident he'll stay undefeated after the contest.
"He's a good wrestler, but he knows that I'm better than him level-wise in every area," Dorzhiev said. "Of course, a fight's a fight, though, and I'm not underestimating Galvan in any way, but I'm very confident that the win is going to be mine on March 8."
Should his prediction prove correct, many pundits believe Dorzhiev will get the call he's been seeking since the day he started training. But to secure that invite, the champ knows he has to turn in a performance worthy of such an honor.
It's a challenge he happily accepts, and he believes he'll deliver.
"When I get in the cage, just enjoy everything I'm going to showcase," Dorzhiev said.
