Marlon Sandro signs with Bellator? Pssh.

The UFC has once again one-upped its competition by signing the man widely regarded as the best featherweight in the world not named Jose Aldo, Hatsu Hioki.

From the promotion's Twitter:

"FYI - guard-smashing savant Hatsu Hioki, a top-ranked featherweight, has been signed to the UFC roster. Welcome!"

Hioki is currently the Shooto lightweight champion and the Sengoku featherweight champion. He sports an impressive 24-4-2 career record and has lost just once since Nov. 2007, a controversial decision defeat to Michihiro Omigawa.

The USA Today/SB Nation consensus rankings have him listed at number two at 145-pounds. He's earned it with a list of victims that includes Mark Hominick (x2), Marlon Sandro, Rumina Sato and Jeff Curran.

Anyone care to guess how many fights it takes before a meeting with Aldo? And who should his first opponent be?