Chinese fighters are a rare sight in the UFC, but the promotion has recently signed an interesting addition to its bantamweight roster with Jumabieke Tuerxun.
Tuerxun (14-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is an unbeaten bantamweight who went 4-0 in 2012. The new comes via the UFC through the Chinese website Weibo, though the promotion has not made a formal announcement. iJudgeFightsfirst reported the news stateside.
Tuerxun is notable as only the second fighter the UFC has ever signed from China, with the first being Zhang Tiequan.
Carrying a perfect 14-0 career MMA record, the undefeated Tuerxun has never competed outside of his home country, much like Tiequan earlier in his career.
However, Tuerxun has the advantage of being much younger with a better-looking resume.
At just 26 years old, Tuerxun has gained seven of his 14 wins by knockout or submission, while also winning a bantamweight title in the Hong Kong-based Legend Fighting Championship.
“The Wild Wolf” also made his professional MMA debut just four years ago, although he has not fought many world-ranked opponents.
That will change once Tuerxun makes his UFC debut, as the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion actively houses several of the world’s best 135-pound fighters.
No date or event has been selected for his first fight, although it’s likely that the UFC will employ him for an upcoming event overseas.
Generally, the UFC signs up many of its Asian fighters for events between Japan and China, where the company has held three events since February 2012.
Should that prove to be the case for Tuerxun, it’s reasonable to expect he may debut with the UFC if it returns to China this year.
The UFC made its historic first visit to the region during UFC on Fuel 6, which featured a headlining bout between former middleweight champion Rich Franklin and Strikeforce veteran Cung Le. Tuerxun has fought in Macau previously, as well as Hong Kong, where he carries equal name value.
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