The welterweight division is perhaps the UFC’s most compelling weight class heading into 2026, and the recent addition of Yaroslav Amosov only adds another layer of intrigue at 170 pounds.
The former Bellator MMA champion made an impressive UFC debut at the final Fight Night event of the year on Saturday, submitting divisional stalwart Neil Magny in the opening round.
Amosov looked sharp at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and improved to 29-1 as a pro after locking up an anaconda choke and forcing a tap from Magny.
The 32-year-old from Ukraine had been widely regarded as the best welterweight fighter in mixed martial arts outside of the UFC prior to joining the organization in November.
Amosov began his professional MMA career 27-0 and became Bellator’s 170-pound champion when he defeated Douglas Lima by decision in 2021. After spending time serving in Ukraine’s military in 2022, he returned to the sport and defended his belt against Logan Storley in early 2023 before suffering his first loss later that year when he was knocked out by Jason Jackson and lost his title at Bellator 301.
Saturday's bout with Magny was just his fourth fight since his 2021 title win. Amosov bounced back from his loss to Jackson by picking up a submission win — also via anaconda choke — over UFC veteran Curtis Millender at a Cage Fury FC event in March earlier this year.
The combat sambo world champion also holds notable MMA wins over past Bellator standouts Ed Ruth and David Rickels, UFC veterans Erick Silva and Gerald Harris, plus former KSW two-division champion Roberto Soldic.
Magny had a two-fight winning streak snapped. The 38-year-old American holds the record for most wins in UFC welterweight history and remains tied with Charles Oliveira for the second-most total wins in UFC history with 24.
Amosov became the latest former Bellator star to join the UFC roster. Two other former Bellator champs, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Patchy Mix, debuted in the UFC earlier this year, as did touted former Bellator star Aaron Pico.
Those three fighters have yet to find much success in the UFC. Pitbull is 1-1, Mix is 0-2, and Pico was knocked out in his lone UFC appearance, but Amosov’s UFC tenure is off to a strong start after that performance.
