Tajik fighter Samandar Murodov (10-0) and American Jonathan Pearsma (9-2) will fight on the night of August 24 at the Road to UFC tournament. The fight will take place in Las Vegas.

However, a victory does not guarantee a contract yet, since Murodov has already won one fight in the Road to UFC and did not get into this league. Recently, out of about 30 fighters, after their victories at this tournament, only 10 have signed up for the UFC.

"Together with the team and the coaching staff, we have completed the last preparations before an important stage – a trip to America. I would like to express my gratitude to my Akhmat - Tajikistan club, my older brothers, sparring partners and everyone who was there and helped along the way. There are new challenges and victories ahead, and I know that with such a team behind us, we will cope with any tasks," the athlete said.

Samandar Murodov is one of the famous Tajik athletes, who is talked about as a future UFC fighter, but he could not go to the USA in any way.

In October 2022, Abu Dhabi hosted the Road to UFC qualifying tournament, created for prospects from Asian countries. And Murodov won in the last second of the first round over Jean Siqueira Submishen.

In addition, Samandar became the champion of AMC Fight Nights at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov Memorial tournament. Then Murodov defeated Maxim Shvets by technical knockout. At the same time, the Tajik fighter fought with an injured arm.