Turkmen mixed martial artist (MMA) Dovletjan Yagshimuradov has been appointed a UN Friendship Games Goodwill Ambassador.

Vepa Hajiev, Permanent Representative of Turkmenistan to the UN, presented him with a certificate of honor confirming his appointment at a ceremony at the UN headquarters.

Turkmenistan initiated the UN Friendship Games.

In addition to Yagshimuradov, who has 26 victories in mixed martial arts, Russian MMA fighter Alexander Volkov was also awarded the title of Goodwill Ambassador.

Since mid-June, diplomats from UN countries and associations, as well as representatives of the organization itself, have been competing in the third edition of the Friendship Games, which featured 10 events. The General Assembly adopted a resolution establishing the annual UN Friendship Games in September 2024.