Viktor Grigorov from Ruse will fight Italy's Simone Mano at MAX FIGHT 67 on 28 November at Mladost Hall in Burgas. It is Grigorov's first MAX FIGHT bout and his chance for a first professional win, after he lost his pro debut.
After that loss he said: "Well, at least now I won't have to carry the burden of being unbeaten."
Grigorov holds several national MMA titles and a medal in combat sambo. Earlier this year he became the first winner of Grappling Grand Prix 77 in Sofia, taking all three of his matches with a guillotine choke. He also used it to beat Vladislav Kanchev in the under-88kg class.
The Ruse fighter was also among the winners at Europe's first professional sanda gala night, where he beat Blagoy Lachev, a national MMA champion. The event announcement names Grigorov among the biggest hopes of Bulgarian combat sports.
His coach, Svetlozar Savov, has moved from Ruse to Varna, but Grigorov still trains with him and fights for Fight Club Ruse.
Mano, nicknamed "The Last One", has a professional record of 2 wins and 4 losses. In England and Finland he has fought for big international promotions against local fighters seen as the future of their countries. They include Nico Cerala, a rising star of Cage Warriors, the promotion Conor McGregor came from.
The Italian is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Earlier this year he won silver at the AJP Grand Slam in Rome, and he has also competed at European championships of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
According to the event announcement, Mano does not shy away from hard fights and is not afraid to be the underdog on foreign ground. He works on his physical and mental strength and looks for new ways to test himself. In Burgas he will again be the visiting fighter.
Tickets for MAX FIGHT 67 are on sale at kupibileti.bg.