There appears to be a brand new threat in the UFC Welterweight Division, as Zelim Imadaev has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.
Ariel Helwani of ESPN first reported the news, but did not specify a contract length or any financial numbers associated with the deal.
Imadaev (8-0-0) will enter the UFC as an undefeated professional MMA fighter, primarily competing in the Fight Nights Global and Octagon Fighting Sensation promotions out of Russia. Imadaev has competed a total of eight times as a professional MMA fighter and has scored all those victories by way of KO/TKO, with five of those coming in the opening round. It has been almost a year since the last time that Imadaev fought, which was a first round knockout victory over Ivan Gluhak at Fight Nights Global 85.
No word has been given at this time as to when the Russian fighter will make his UFC debut, but the UFC is returning to Russia this April with UFC Fight Night St. Petersburg. Tyron Woodley is the current king of the UFC Welterweight Division and he is going to be defending the gold next month against Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 235.
