The UFC, ever intent of expanding into the lucrative Asian market, has signed its second Chinese fighter.
According to Chinese website Sohu, undefeated bantamweight Jumabieke Tuerxun is on his way to the octagon. The 25-year-old grew up as a soccer player but eventually found a greater passion for martial arts. According to Sohu, he’s 25-0, but other fight record-keepers like Sherdog have him at an equally impressive 14-0.
The 5-foot-6 fighter, who goes by the nickname “The Wild Wolf,” was the former Legend FC champion. He recently competed in the RUFF organization and had been expected to compete in its Super Fight tournament to crown China’s national MMA champion, but instead, he turned down an extension to chase free agency. It appears that road will lead to the octagon.
Tuerxun will follow in the footsteps of countryman Tiequan Zhang, who has competed as a featherweight and lightweight in the octagon, losing four of his five fights.
The UFC has recently looked to deepen its inroads into Asia, and more specifically, China, a country of over 1.3 billion people. In 2010, the organization opened an office in Beijing. In early 2012, the UFC invited a group of Chinese fighters to Las Vegas to train for a month in a sort of exchange program. UFC matchmakers have also spent time in China, and last November, the promotion held its first event there, bringing a FUEL show with a main event of Cung Le vs. Rich Franklin to Macau.
As of now, there is no timetable for Tuerxun’s UFC debut.