While RUFF has a roster featuring some of the best athletes in MMA right now, including recently crowned Legend FC Bantamweight Jumabieke Tuerxun, Ji Xian, Zhang LiPeng, and Wang Guan, it also has ushered in some high-level MMA fighters not of Chinese descent but currently living in China, notably Rodrigo Caporal and Irshaad Sayed. Whether non-Chinese will be allowed to become a "China National Champion" as sanctioned by the Wushu Administrative Center remains to be declared by the promotion.
RUFF has upped its production level by signing on Mandt Brothers for the creative development of league events, live events and production thereof, and possible reality shows, all serving to raise the awareness and popularity of MMA in China. They have become the first MMA promotion sanctioned by the Chinese government, and the issuance of nationally-recognized titles will be a testament to their efforts.
The text of the press release follows:
