M-1 Global announced the news via Twitter on Monday. A date and opponent for Bogatov’s debut with the Las Vegas-based promotion was not confirmed.
Bogatov claimed the vacant lightweight throne with a five-round verdict over Rubenilton Pereira at M-1 Challenge 97 in September 2018. He successfully defended the belt twice in 2019 with finishes against Michel Silva and Mickael Lebout.
Bogatov is 10-0 as a professional, with all but two of those victories coming under the M-1 Challenge banner. Bogatov’s deal is part of a partnership between M-1 Global and the UFC that allows M-1 Challenge champions to sign with the world’s largest MMA organization.
M-1 Challenge lightweight Champion Roman Bogatov signs with the #UFC! Undefeated Russian fighter (10-0) will make his UFC debut early next year and we wish him a lot of success in the Octagon! pic.twitter.com/EWA5IP7PSz
— M-1 Global (@M1GlobalNews) November 11, 2019