After signing with One FC last November, Yuri Simoes is set to make his professional MMA debut against Fan Rong (13-2) in Singapore on Fri. Nov. 133 at ONE FC's 'Inside The Matrix III.'

Fan has been fighting professionally since 2016 and has amassed eight submission wins and four knockout/ TKOs'; the Chinese fighter's experience represents a serious challenge for Simoes.  

The fight is set to take place in the middleweight division (205lbs / 93kg). 

WATCH: Yuri Simoes ADCC Wrestling Highlight

When asked what it meant to represent jiu-jitsu on the highest stage, Yuri told FloGrappling that

"I always say that I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire life, and when I look back I realize that everything that I’ve achieved in jiujitsu and grappling was only to prepare myself for this new chapter, it’s time to use my jiujitsu in the most realistic fighting format there’s in combat sports.
 As a real jiujitsu black belt I’ve learned each and every foundational aspect of jiujitsu not only as a sport modality but as a martial art, don’t get me wrong I love sports jiujitsu too, but I just think that jiujitsu it’s way more than just a sport, it is without a doubt the most complete martial art there is

 If you take a look at my matches you’ll see that I never “played jiujitsu” I always “fought jiujitsu”.

MMA has always meant to be my destiny, and so I see this transition to MMA as one of the greatest challenges of my life, and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to debut in such an awesome organization like OneFC.
 

I was born for this.. It’s Yuri time!"