Representatives of the Russian league officially announced the organization of the match.
Last June, 32-year-old Eduard Vartanian extended his winning streak to eight fights by finishing Kazakhstan’s Artem Reznikov by third-round technical knockout in the final match of the ACA Lightweight Grand Prix. On his way to the finals, “Lionheart” earned early victories over South African Alain Ilunga and his compatriot Yusuf Raisov. The Russian has spent the last four months trying to get a contract with the UFC, but has so far failed to become a fighter in the world’s strongest league.
Russian-Kazakhstani lightweight Damir Ismagulov left the UFC last July, where he had five wins and two losses in five years. His poor performances came in fights against Arman Tsarukyan and Grant Dawson, to whom Ismagulov lost by unanimous decision over three rounds.