YAROSLAV AMOSOV is the Ukrainian welterweight looking to surpass Khabib Nurmagomedov's unbeaten streak.
The Bellator star moved to 25-0 last night after defeating Logan Storley by split decision.
After UFC lightweight king Nurmagomdov, 32, retired after beating Justin Gaethje, 31, in October, it makes Amosov the longest running undefeated fighter.
Notably, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, 31, is also without a loss in his 20 straight wins.
But with Khabib's fighting future still unclear, it gives Amosov a clear path to try and reach the record breaking 30-0.
The 27-year-old first began competing aged 16, when he joined a sambo wrestling class in Kiev.
But he only started it as a hobby and a means to learn self-defence, with no intentions of finding himself a career.
Amosov said: “You can just be an average guy, no matter what city you’re from, what country you’re from, you can get to the top.
“I started this out as a hobby, I just wanted to learn how to fight for street fights. I turned pro, and things kind of went from there.
"In a way I’m blessed that my hobby turned into an occupation.”
Amosov won three World championships, two European's, as well as becoming a European Cup winner.
He continued competing in grappling until 2014, mixing it into an MMA career which he started in 2012.
The feared wrestler compiled 19 straight victories while fighting across Europe in Ukraine, Moldova and Russia.
But in 2017, US promotion Bellator announced they had signed Amosov, who at the time had only twice been taken to the cards.
He has won six times in his two years fighting in America, including three wins this year.
The European standout trains at the famed American Top Team in Florida, home to Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley, Dustin Poirier and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Despite his clear wrestling credentials, Amosov also has well rounded striking and submissions.
He has won nine by knockout and ten by submission.
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