For the first time, the Road to UFC tournament will feature a fighter from Afghanistan.
Hamid Amiri (9-0) will fight RTU veteran Xie Bin (11-4) in this year’s featherweight tournament, multiple sources informed MMA Ecosystem.
The first round of the tournament takes place on May 18-19th at the UFC PI in Shanghai, China.
Xie Bin was a competitor on the first season of Road to UFC in 2022 and Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. Although unsuccessful in those attempts to make the UFC roster, he’s won three straight since RTU.
He most recently took a unanimous decision against Jung Han Guk at WLF 67 last year.
At 20 years old, Hamid Amiri is one of bright young prospects out of Afghanistan. He’s currently competed exclusively in Afghanistan and Pakistan, most recently beating Khan Mohammad Ishaqzai by decision at MKFC in January.
The UFC is expected to make an announcement for Road to UFC season three within the week.
Road to UFC is a UFC-hosted tournament featuring many of the top prospects from around Asia. The winners receive UFC contracts after fighting through three rounds contested over a year.