Undefeated Gnizditskiy Signs With UFC, Eyes December Debut

The UFC's light heavyweight division has a new undefeated prospect. Ivan Gnizditskiy has signed with the promotion, his manager Ali Askarov of Crown Sports Management told MMA Junkie on Thursday, and the Russian is expected to make his debut in December.

Gnizditskiy owns a perfect 7-0 professional record with a 100 percent finishing rate, having seen the second round only twice in his career. His most high-profile outings came in ONE Championship last year, where he appeared twice in 2025 and demolished both opponents in under four minutes each — performances that had many viewing him as a future star of that organization before he pivoted toward the UFC.

The road to the octagon had one detour: Gnizditskiy was scheduled to face Nell Ariano on Dana White's Contender Series, but visa issues derailed his participation before he could fight for a contract. Rather than wait for another Contender Series slot, the promotion signed him directly.

Before focusing on MMA full time, the Russian also tested himself in caged boxing and bareknuckle competition, adding to his reputation as one of Europe's most violent finishers at 205 pounds. The December debut date has not yet been assigned an event or opponent, but with the UFC's year-end schedule filling out, one of the division's most intriguing newcomers will get his answer soon.