Several weeks ago, Bellator MMA announced a portion of their line-up for the Turin, Italy fight card. Amongst the competitors was a new face: recently signed Russian Muay Thai champion Anastasia Yankova.

The longtime fighter decided to test the water in MMA last year and compiled a undefeated 2-0 record as a flyweight under the Fight Nights banner in Russia. With a varied striking arsenal based in Muay Thai and boxing, Yankova has a wealth of experience in combat sports that is not represented in her MMA record.

It is also part of the reason why she opted to sign with Bellator. Unlike the UFC, Bellator will allow Yankova to take occasional fights in Russia and compete in other combat sports.

"All that matters is that I know the conditions of that offer in the UFC, and I know the conditions of Bellator," Yankova told MK.ru. "At this stage, Bellator had advantageous conditions, including in financial terms. Plus it is also very important note the monopoly: UFC does not allow you to fight anywhere else, and it is important for me to box, even in Russia."

Yankova's Bellator debt is scheduled to take place on April 16, 2016 in Turin, Italy.