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Invicta FC standout Mariya Agapova signs with UFC

By Alexander K. Lee
Mariya Agapova
Dave Mandel, Invicta FC

Things are looking up for Mariya Agapova.

A month after an auto-pedestrian accident forced Agapova to withdraw from a scheduled Invicta FC bout against Daiana Torquato, the 22-year-old flyweight announced on social media that she has signed a contract to compete in the UFC.

“Thanks to my teammates,” Agapova wrote. “You have no idea how much you mean to me! A year ago, I looked at you from the TV screen. And I promised myself that I would become as strong as you. And now we are a team. And you helped me all the time on my hard way.

“And now I am UFC fighter like you.”

Agapova competed twice for Invicta after failing to secure a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last July. She defeated Alexa Conners by first-round submission at Invicta FC: Phoenix Rising Series 2 and then Marilia Santos by first-round TKO at Invicta FC 37.

The Kazakh’s pro record stands at 8-1, with her lone setback a unanimous decision loss to Tracy Cortez on the Contender Series. Agapova didn’t say what division she would be competing in, but she has spent her whole career in the 125-pound weight class thus far.

Read Agapova’s full statement below:

View this post on Instagram

Dreams Come True. This is a translation of one of my tattoos. I always knew and felt it. Today something happened that I have been going all my life to. Thank you Shannon @shanknapp for giving me the chance to show myself in @invictafc. Thanks to my teammates. You have no idea how much you mean to me! A year ago, I looked at you from the TV screen. And I promised myself that I would become as strong as you. And now we are a team. And you helped me all the time on my hard way. And now I am UFC fighter like you. Thanks to my best managers in the world @alexdavismma @alexeyzhernakov @alexandrromashov13 for their well-coordinated work. And help me in every bad situation. Thanks to my coaches who put a lot of effort and work into me @rinat_bahitovich @deoliveira_coach @kingmofh @macarraodossantos @katelkubis @evertonvvoliveira @rocco.fabricio Thanks everyone! The guys from the gym this year became my family. I came here every day, even when it seemed to me that everything was over, and my dream never come true. I woke up every day, and watched the inscription on the sheet that I would fight in the UFC in 2020. And I went to ATT. Fighters from all over the world, from different states, are training there. And we have no one here but each other. We are really a huge family. And I'm incredibly happy that there are so many amazing people around me, and that I have become part of a huge family. In one family you are born, and one family you find(c) @brian666werner I'll write a book soon guys. And now this book has a happy ending! And thanks to my beautiful followers, my suns for your help, donations and support! You were my ray of light in bad moments! Thanks to your help, I paid for the house, bought food, and did not give up. Because you all supported me! My guys! Thank you for everything. In a couple of months I will be in the resource to send each of you a thanks gift. Thanks all my friends for supporting me! And for all this time I understood one thing: Not all the people who hug you are your friends. And not all people who beat up you - your enemies. @amandaufcribas @amanda_leoa @joannajedrzejczyk @maryna_moroz_ufc @markaomaluko @valerieloureda

A post shared by Maria Agapova (@mma.mashka) on

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