Rinat Ryashitovich Fakhretdinov[a] (born 28 September 1991) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Rinat Fakhretdinov
BornRinat Ryashitovich Fakhretdinov[1]
(1991-09-28) 28 September 1991 (age 33)
Belozerye, Mordovian ASSR, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Native nameРинат Фахретдинов
NicknameGladiator
ResidenceMoscow, Russia
NationalityRussian
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight171 lb (78 kg; 12 st 3 lb)
DivisionWelterweight (2022—present)
Middleweight (2013—2021)
Reach74 in (188 cm)[2]
StyleCombat Sambo
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSaransk, Mordovia, Russia
TeamAmerican Top Team[3]
Evolve Gym[4]
Gold Star Fit[5]
TrainerMarat Kapkaev[6]
Marcos DaMatta[7]
RankMaster of Sport in Combat Sambo[8][9]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins23
By knockout11
By submission6
By decision6
Losses1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

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Rinat Ryashitovich Fakhretdinov was born into a Volga Tatar family on 28 September 1991, in the village of Belozerye in the Romodanovsky District of the Mordovian ASSR, an autonomous republic within the Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.[10][11] He started freestyle wrestling and Kūdō at the age of 13. In 2011, he moved from Saransk, Mordovia to Moscow and jointed the "sparta combat sambo club".[9] To support himself, he held multiple jobs while studying law at Mordovia State University through correspondence.[12][13][14]

Mixed martial arts career

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In his early 20s, he transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), participating in amateur tournaments and gaining experience. He secured the SFC championship and later received an invitation to compete in the GFC, a prominent MMA league in Russia. On 3 May 2019 he became the Gorilla Fighting Championship champion in middleweight division after a submission win over Alberto Pereira.[15]

At the UAE Warriors 15 tournament,[16] his knockout victory over Eric Spicely caught the attention of UFC president Dana White, who offered him a contract to join the UFC. This made Fakhretdinov the first Tatar fighter to compete in a Western MMA promotion.[17]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Fakhretdinov made his UFC debut on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207 in a welterweight bout against Andreas Michailidis.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Fakhretdinov was expected to face Michael Morales on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.[20] However, Morales pulled out and was replaced by Bryan Battle.[21][22] Fakhretdinov won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Fakhretdinov faced Kevin Lee on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48.[24] He won the fight via technical submission due to a guillotine choke with in the opening minute.[25]

Fakhretdinov faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.[26] The bout ended in a majority draw.[27]

Fakhretdinov faced Nicolas Dalby on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6.[28] He won the fight by split decision.[29]

Fakhretdinov was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.[30] However, Ruziboev withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion and promotional newcomer Carlos Leal.[31][32] He won the bout by unanimous decision, despite 16 of 16 media outlets scoring the bout for Leal.[33][34]

Fakhretdinov is scheduled to face Gabriel Bonfim on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251.[35]

Professional grappling career

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Fakhretdinov competed against Douglas Lima at ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024.[36] He won the match by unanimous decision.[37]

Fakhretdinov competed against Craig Jones at Pit Submission Series 4 on April 20, 2024.[38] He lost the match by submission due to a triangle choke.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
25 matches 23 wins 1 loss
By knockout 11 0
By submission 6 0
By decision 6 1
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–1–1 Carlos Leal Decision (unanimous) UFC 308 October 26, 2024 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 22–1–1 Nicolas Dalby Decision (split) UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov June 22, 2024 3 5:00 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Draw 21–1–1 Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis November 4, 2023 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 21–1 Kevin Lee Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov July 1, 2023 1 0:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–1 Bryan Battle Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland December 17, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 19–1 Andreas Michailidis Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Rozenstruik June 4, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Welterweight.
Win 18–1 Eric Spicely KO (punch) UAE Warriors 15 January 15, 2021 1 0:55 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 17–1 Jhonny Carlos Decision (unanimous) GFC 16 August 30, 2019 3 5:00 Astrakhan, Russia Defended the GFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 16–1 Alberto Uda Submission (guillotine choke) GFC 11 May 3, 2019 1 4:13 Penza, Russia Won the GFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 15–1 Vladimir Migovich TKO (punches) Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 9 February 17, 2019 1 1:09 Kazan, Russia
Win 14–1 Viktor Shabalov Submission (guillotine choke) Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 7 November 4, 2018 2 3:15 Samara, Russia
Win 13–1 Bayram Mamedov TKO (punches) Samara MMA Federation: Battle on the Volga 4 May 11, 2018 1 N/A Samara, Russia Return to Middleweight.
Win 12–1 Kevin Oliver TKO (punches) Prosperity Fight Promo: Battle for Samara February 2, 2018 1 4:13 Samara, Russia
Win 11–1 Nurgazy Kaldar TKO (punches) SFC: Legacy of Sparta 3 August 12, 2017 1 0:50 Botlikhsky, Russia Welterweight debut.
Win 10–1 Emin Agaev KO (punches) SFC: Legacy of Sparta 2 August 14, 2016 1 0:10 Botlikhsky, Russia
Win 9–1 Denis Gunich Decision (unanimous) Octagon Fighting Sensation 8 May 8, 2015 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 8–1 Melis Joldoshev Submission (guillotine choke) World Ertaymash Federation 2 March 15, 2015 2 2:04 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Win 7–1 Yuri Ilyin TKO (punches) SFC: Legacy of Sparta 1 September 14, 2014 1 2:15 Zelenograd, Russia
Win 6–1 Erikson Betao Submission (guillotine choke) Fight Stars: Team Challenge 1 September 5, 2014 1 2:05 Saransk, Russia
Win 5–1 Ravshan Akhmedov TKO (corner stoppage) No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Finals November 30, 2013 2 4:33 Moscow, Russia Won the No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament.
Win 4–1 Magomed Isaev Submission (rear-naked choke) No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Semifinals October 27, 2013 1 2:22 Moscow, Russia No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament semifinal.
Win 3–1 Marat Bekmuratov TKO (punches) No. 1 Martial Arts Club: Beginning of the Road Quarterfinals September 22, 2013 1 0:30 Moscow, Russia No. 1 Martial Arts Club middleweight tournament quarterfinal.
Win 2–1 Pavel Bodrov TKO (punches) Razdolie Cup 2 June 30, 2013 1 2:30 Zelenograd, Russia
Loss 1–1 Aigun Akhmedov Decision (unanimous) Igor Vovchanchyn Cup 3 June 5, 2013 2 5:00 Kharkiv, Ukraine
Win 1–0 Aleksandr Svirid TKO (punches) 2 0:41 Middleweight debut.

[40]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Russian: Ринат Ряшитович Фахретдинов
    Tatar: Ринат Рәшит улы Фәхретдинов
    pronounced [Reenat Fahretdeenoff][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Ринат Фахретдинов". fight.ru. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  2. ^ "Rinat Fakhretdinov - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  3. ^ ""До сих пор не верится, что дерусь в UFC". Ринат Фахретдинов — о дебюте, тренировках в Америке и ксенофобии". mma.metaratings.ru. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  4. ^ "RINAT FAKHRETDINOV HOPES TO INSPIRE HIS PEOPLE". ufc.ru. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  5. ^ "Прогноз на бой Ринат Фахретдинов – Кевин Ли". mma.metaratings.ru. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Ринат Фахретдинов и Марат Капкаев — о силе духа, спортивном союзе и развитии татарской нации". avtonomiya.tatar. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Захватывающе: как Ринат Фахретдинов выиграл третий бой в UFC". iz.ru. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Эксклюзив от ГТРК "Мордовия" Ринат Фахретдинов". mordoviatv.ru. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "Защитил чемпионский пояс". moyaokruga.ru. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  10. ^ "Сенсация в UFC: уроженец Мордовии вырубил американца за 55 секунд!". stolica-s.su. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  11. ^ ""Моя жена — дагестанка, но первое, что я сказал, — дети должны знать татарский". Интервью с Ринатом Фахретдиновым". sport-express.ru. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
  12. ^ "Ринат Фахретдинов (Rinat Fakhretdinov): биография и лучшие бои средневеса UFC - MMAExpress". mma.express. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  13. ^ ""Спасибо всем причастным, квест пройден!"". Stolica-s.su.
  14. ^ "The first Tatar man in the UFC — RealnoeVremya.com". realnoevremya.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  15. ^ ""Пускали слухи, что мне после победы подарили гелик, 30 млн, квартиру". Большое интервью первого татарина в UFC". sport.business-gazeta.ru. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Full fight card released for UAE Warriors 15". asianmma.com. January 6, 2021.
  17. ^ Andrew Whitelaw (January 16, 2021). "Bruno Machado beats Mickael Lebout at UAE Warriors 15". asianmma.com.
  18. ^ "Ринат Фахретдинов дебютирует в UFC 4 июня". sport-express.ru (in Russian). 2022-03-24. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  19. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2022-06-03). "UFC Vegas 56: Rinat Fakhretdinov Dominates Michailidis, Wins Bloody Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
  20. ^ Nolan King (2022-10-03). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Sept. 26-Oct. 2)". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  21. ^ Danny Segura (2022-11-30). "Unbeaten Michael Morales injured, out of UFC Fight Night 216 vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  22. ^ Arshad (2022-12-02). "UFC Vegas 66: Bryan Battle Replaced Morales Against Rinat Fakhretdinov". itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  23. ^ "Rinat Fakhretdinov wants to clean out welterweight of any gatekeepers after UFC Fight Night 216". MMA Junkie. 2022-12-18. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  24. ^ "Kevin Lee gets first assignment in UFC return, meets Rinat Fakhretdinov July 1". MMA Junkie. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  25. ^ Martin, Damon (2023-07-01). "UFC Vegas 76 video: Rinat Fakhretdinov spoils Kevin Lee's return, sleeps him with nasty guillotine in just 55 seconds, subsequently he was released from UFC again". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  26. ^ Zubkiewicz, Bartłomiej (2023-08-22). "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos kontra Rinat Fakhretdinov na UFC Sao Paulo | MMAROCKS". MMA Rocks! (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  27. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-11-05). "UFC Sao Paulo: Rinat Fakhretdinov Draws With Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in Back and Forth War". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  28. ^ Zubkiewicz, Bartłomiej (2024-04-05). "Rinat Fakhretdinov kontra Nicolas Dalby na czerwcowej gali UFC w Arabii Saudyjskiej". MMA Rocks! (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-04-07.
  29. ^ Hester, Bryson (2024-06-22). "UFC Saudi Arabia: Rinat Fakhretdinov Best Nicolas Dalby In Fun Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-06-22.
  30. ^ Drake Riggs (2024-07-24). "Morning Report: Kamaru Usman targets winner of UFC 304 main event: 'I still got tread left in these tires' - Fight Announcements". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  31. ^ Mike Heck (2024-10-20). "UFC 308: Newcomer saves welterweight clash on Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway fight card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  32. ^ Brian Mazique (2024-10-21). "2 Changes To Massive UFC 308 Card Have Made The Event Even Better". forbes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-21.
  33. ^ Shawn Bitter (2024-10-26). "UFC 308: Questionable Judging Sees Rinat Fakhretdinov Win Decision Over Carlos Leal". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
  34. ^ "Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Carlos Leal :: UFC 308". MMA Decisions. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  35. ^ Paulo Victor Soares (2024-11-21). "Irmãos Bonfim têm retorno marcado ao UFC em fevereiro. Veja lutas" (in Spanish). metropoles.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  36. ^ "ADXC 2: Douglas Lima And Rinat Fakhretdinov Face Each Other In A Main Card Grappling Bout". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  37. ^ "ADXC 2 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  38. ^ Williams, Jackson. "Full Card Announced For Pit Submission Series 4". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  39. ^ "Shock Upsets And Stunning Highlights In Pit Submission Series 4 Results". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  40. ^ "Rinat". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
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