The UFC has added another M-1 Global champion to its roster.
This time it’s a lightweight. The promotion has inked undefeated Russian fighter [autotag]Roman Bogatov[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), according to a tweet posted by M-1 Global on Monday.
No date, location or opponent has been announced for Bogatov’s UFC debut.
The 28-year-old lightweight made his M-1 debut in March 2017. After winning his first five fights under the promotion’s banner, Bogatov earned a title shot for the vacant championship against Brazil’s Rubenilton Pereira in September 2018. Bogatov earned a five-round unanimous decision victory.
Bogatov defended his title twice, ending both opponents’ nights inside the distance. After he defeated Michel Silva by second-round submission in January, Bogatov defeated UFC veteran Mickael Lebout by TKO due to injury at M-1 Challenge 104 in March.
M-1 Challenge lightweight Champion Roman Bogatov signs with the #UFC! Undefeated Russian fighter (10-0) will make his UFC debut early next year and we wish him a lot of success in the Octagon! pic.twitter.com/EWA5IP7PSz
— M-1 Global (@M1GlobalNews) November 11, 2019
Bogatov becomes one of a handful of M-1 Global champions to take advantage of a 2018 partnership deal with the UFC. The deal allows M-1 Global champions the ability to leave the promotion to go to the UFC.
Other fighters who have taken advantage of the partnership include bantamweight Movar Evloev, featherweight Nate Landwehr, middleweight Bruno Silva and light heavyweight Khadis Ibragimov.
Check out Roman Bogatov’s official highlight video (via M-1 Global) below: