The Russian fighter, who arrived in the U.S. to sign with the organization, posted photos and video from the UFC PI gym, where he trains with his compatriot Alexander Volkov.
“In 2011, I came to my first MMA training in the gym where Alexander Volkov was training,” Vartanian wrote. “Even then he was one of the strongest heavyweights in Russia and remains so to this day.”
In June of this year, 32-year-old Eduard Vartanyan extended his winning streak to eight fights, finishing Kazakhstan’s Artem Reznikov by third-round technical knockout in the grand prix final. On his way to the finals, “Lionheart” earned early victories over South African Alain Ilunga and his compatriot Yusuf Raissov.
Alexander Volkov, 35, earned his third straight early victory in September with a choke finish of Ezekiel Taya Tuivasu and is currently ranked sixth in the UFC’s heavyweight rankings.