UFC signs Russia’s number one pound-for-pound fighter
The UFC’s list of 2019 signees just got a little bit more impressive. Earlier this week, the largest promotion in the sport of mixed martial arts inked undefeated light heavyweight Ivan Shtyrkov (16-0-1). Shtyrkov’s manager, Sayat Abdrakhmanov, of Ruby Sports & Entertainment, announced the signing on social media Tuesday morning.
Currently ranked as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in Russia by Tapology.com, Shtyrkov is known for his versatility and ability to finish fights.
Nicknamed “Ural Hulk,” Shtyrkov is a physical specimen who has competed at both 205 and 265 pounds.
Defeating the who’s who of veteran MMA fighters, Shtyrkov’s resume is eye-catching. Some the highlights of his career include wins over fighters such as Jeff Monson, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, Ricco Rodriguez, Phil De Fries, Satoshi Ishii, Christian M’Pumbu, Fabio Maldonado, and most recently, Thiago Silva. Very few of these respected names have survived to the final bell with the fearsome Yekaterinburg native.
It is not yet known when or where Shtyrkov will make his promotional debut, but he’s almost certain to become a real force in the perilous UFC light heavyweight division.
Who would you like to see Ivan Shtyrkov fight in his UFC debut?
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 3/19/2019.
