One of Central Asia’s most successful and decorated mixed martial artists, Dovletjan Yagshimuradov, has reached a new, diplomatic level. A ceremony was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, where he was officially named a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Friendship Games. Vepa Khadzhiev, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN, personally presented the certificate of honor to the Turkmen fighter.
Yagshimuradov boasts an impressive professional career with 26 victories on major international stages. Along with him, renowned Russian MMA heavyweight Alexander Volkov was also named a Goodwill Ambassador. The selection of such prominent and respected fighters underscores the primary objective of their new mission: to promote unity, mutual respect, and solidarity among young people around the world through personal example and sporting values.
The appointment of a Turkmen fighter to this high-ranking post is deeply symbolic, as Turkmenistan initiated the UN Friendship Games. In September 2024, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing these annual competitions, which aim to develop international sports diplomacy. Involving global MMA stars in promoting this project will give the competition new impetus and draw the attention of millions of people to the key humanitarian values of sport.
