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Bellator Fighting Championships have signed undefeated featherweight prospect Rasul Mirzaev (5-0), according to reports from MMAJunkie.com. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
A heralded up-and-comer from Moscow, Mirzaev is unbeaten in five professional bouts since 2009. After starting his career slow with just two fights in two years, the 25-year-old has ripped through 2011 at a torrid pace, finishing three straight opponents in the first round. Known throughout Russia as "Black Tiger," Mirzaev last fought at ‘Fight Nights - Battle of Moscow 4,' where he handily defeated former Sengoku featherweight champion Masanori Kanehara via first-round technical knockout.
Mirzaev joins a fast-rising Bellator featherweight division that includes current champion Joe Warren and former champion Joe Soto. He is expected to make his promotional debut in this fall during Bellator's fifth season. It will be the first time the youngster performs outside of his native Russia. No date or upcoming opponent has been announced.