Timur Valiev signed by UFC, set to fight Jamall Emmers

Timur Valiev has been signed by the UFC. After much lobbying by manager Ali Abdelaziz, the highly-touted Russian fighter will finally fight in the world’s biggest promotion. He is scheduled to fight Jamall Emmers on a UFC Fight Night card in August.

Abdelaziz said in an Instagram post: “I’m grateful to sign many guys to the UFC but today is a special day to sign my young brother Timur Valiev. He has a big opportunity to take a short-notice fight at 145lb against a great opponent.”

Valiev himself posted: “It’s time to show what I can do.”

“The Lucky” has fought in a number of prominent MMA promotions, including the World Series of Fighting and the Professional Fighters League. He has a professional record of 14-2. One of his losses, to Chris Gutierrez, he avenged in a rematch.

He has been welcomed to the UFC by his fellow Dagestani featherweight, Zabit Magomedsharipov, who said: “Congratulations on the long-awaited signing, brother.”