Gadzhi Rabadanov Explained

Gadzhi Rabadanov
Birth Date:1 July 1993
Birth Place:Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
Residence:Chelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
Nationality:Russian
Weight Lb:155
Weight Class:Lightweight
Reach:72 in [1]
Style:Combat Sambo
Stance:Southpaw
Fighting Out Of:Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
San Jose, California, U.S.
Trainer:Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Javier Mendez
Team:American Kickboxing Academy
Eagles MMA
Mamishev Team
Rank:International Master of Sport in Amateur MMA
Years Active:2013–present
Mma Kowin:7
Mma Subwin:5
Mma Decwin:11
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
Mma Draw:1
Sherdog:149247

Gadzhi Kadiomarovich Rabadanov (born July 1, 1993) is a Russian mixed martial artist, currently fighting in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. He has been fighting as pro since 2013. He has previously competed in Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Fight Nights Global (FNG).

Rabadanov is a former Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) lightweight champion. He is also won gold medal in the MMA World Championship in Prague (2015).[2] As result Rabadanov was given International Master of Sports in mixed martial arts (MMA) for his achievements in Prague. He is also bronze medalist from World Combat Sambo Championship.

Rabadanov is the current record holder of the fastest finish in amateur MMA history, in which he submitted his opponent in 17 seconds in the very first round of the bout.

Early life

Rabadanov was born in the city of Makhachkala, in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on January 1,1993, of Dargin ethnicity.[3] He currently resides in Chelyabinsk. In his childhood, he played football and was passionate about freestyle wrestling. Rabadanov eventually switched to combat samboat the age of 17 years old, where he came under the tutelage of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.[4] [5]

Following his graduation from high school, he combined his combat sambo training and study at the Russian Legal Academy. Rabadanov gave martial arts (Combat Sambo and MMA) his whole attention after his third year of college and began competing professionally in MMA. Ever since than he started doing professional MMA and grappling. He obtained a legal degree after graduating from the academy with honors. He is an amateur MMA champion of Russia in 2015.

Mixed Martial Arts career

Early career

In February 2013, Rabadanov made his professional MMA debut at the Octagon MMA Warriors 13 event, defeating fellow newbie Evgeniy Sokha with a kimura in the second round.[6] [7] He competed seven more times across local MMA promotions in Russia.[8] [9]

WMMAA Lightweight Champion

Rabadanov had a notable run at WMMAA World Championship at Prague, where he defeated current UFC fighters like Ľudovít Klein and Loik Radzhabov to become WMMAA Lightweight champion.[10] [11] It was in this tournament, where he became record holder for the fastest finish in amateur MMA history, with the record of defeating his opponent in 17 seconds in the very first round of the fight.[12] [13]

Return to Professional MMA

Rabadanov didn't actually compete for a major MMA organization until 2016, when he went into the Fight Nights Global promotion, for whom he successfully competed in six of their events.[14] [15]

Rabadanov also competed for notable MMA promotion, PFL in May 23, 2019, when he was pitted against former UFC fighter Steven "Super" Siler, which the Dagestani won via unanimous decision.[16] [17] He was unable to establish himself as regular fixture in PFL due to issues with weight cutting, so he opted to return to his homeland and resumed his career with the Russian MMA promotion Gorilla FC.[18]

On February 9, 2020, Rabadanov and the Brazilian fighter, Joao Paulo de Moura e Silva were given the chance to compete for Gorilla Fighting Championships lightweight belt, after the original bout between Nurullo Aliev and Anvar Chergesov (original competitors for lightweight belt) was cancelled, at GFC 24 event, in which the Dagestani won the belt by defeating Brazilian via unanimous decision.[19] [20]

Eagle Fighting Championship

The Gorilla Fighting Championship was than bought by MMA superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov for a price of one million dollar, and than rebranded as Eagle Fighting Championship.[21] Rabadanov who remained lightweight champion under the new organization, was booked to defend his title against French fighter of Chechen origin Mehdi Dakaev, at EFC 30, on December 4, 2020.[22] Dakaev won the fight against Rabadanov via unanimous decision and ultimately becoming the new lightweight champion.[23]

In Rabadanov second fight for Eagle Fighting Championship, he was booked against Russian compatriot Valery Gritsutin (who was on a 6 fight winning streak), at EFC 33 event, which he won by unanimous decision.[24] After this fight, Rabadanov went on to sign for the US-based promotion Bellator MMA.[25]

Bellator MMA

Rabadanov was set to make his debut for Bellator MMA against Daniel Carey, at Bellator 263 - Pitbull vs. McKee, on July 31, 2021.[26] He KO'd the American fighter with a punch in round one of the fight.[27]

In Rabadanov second bout for Bellator MMA, he booked to face against the Maori fighter Jay-Jay Wilson, at Bellator 276 - Borics vs. Burnell, on March 12, 2022.[28] He defeated New Zealander via unanimous decision.[29]

Four months later on July 22, Rabadanov was booked to face the Hawaiian fighter Bobby King, at Bellator 283 - Lima vs. Jackson event.[30] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

In December of the same year, Rabadanov participated in a special event in co-promotion between Bellator MMA and Japan-based promotion Rizin Fighting Federation called Bellator MMA vs Rizin where he set to face off against Japanese BJJ specialist by the name of Koji Takeda.[32] He won the fight against Takeda via unanimous decision.[33]

In Rabadanov fifth fight for Bellator, he was booked in a bout against the Dutch adversary Pieter Buist, at Bellator 297 - Nemkov vs. Romero event, on June 16, 2023.[34] The Dagestani defeated the Dutchman via unanimous decision on judges scorecard.[35]

PFL

Rabadanov started the 2024 season with a bout against Solomon Renfro on April 12, 2024 at PFL 2.[36] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[37]

His second fight for 2024 season was booked against unbeaten Nicaraguan prospect, Elvin "The Prodigy" Espinoza on June 21, 2024 on the prelims of PFL 5 - Collard vs. Burnell card, at Jon M. Huntsman Center stadium, Salt Lake City, Utah.[38] Rabadanov won the fight via (30-27) unanimous decision on all three judges scorecard.[39] With this the Nicaraguan fighter suffered the first loss of his pro fight career.[40]

Rabadanov faced Michael Dufort in the semifinals of the 2024 Lightweight tournament on August 16, 2024 at PFL 8.[41] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[42]

Championships and accomplishments

Sambo

Amateur mixed martial arts

Professional mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Win|align=center||Michael Dufort|KO (punches)|PFL 8 (2024)||align=center|2|align=center|1:51|Hollywood, Florida, United States||-||align=center||Elvin Espinoza |Decision (unanimous)|PFL 5 (2024)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States||-||align=center||Solomon Renfro|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 2 (2024)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-||align=center|20–4–2|Pieter Buist|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 297||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Chicago, Illinois, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–4–2|Koji Takeda|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator MMA vs. Rizin||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Saitama, Japan||-|Win|align=center|18–4–2|Bobby King |Decision (unanimous) |Bellator 283||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Tacoma, Washington, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–4–2|Jay-Jay Wilson|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 276||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Saint Louis, Missouri, United States||-|Win|align=center|16–4–2|Daniel Carey|KO (punch)|Bellator 263||align=center|1|align=center|3:57|Inglewood, California, United States||-|Win|align=center|15–4–2|Valery Gritsutin|Decision (unanimous)|Eagle Fighting Championship 33||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Moscow, Russia||-|Loss|align=center|14–4–2|Mehdi Dakaev |Decision (unanimous)|Eagle Fighting Championship 30||align=center|5|align=center|5:00|Moscow, Russia|||-|Win|align=center|14–3–2|Joao Paulo de Moura e Silva|Decision (unanimous)|Gorilla Fighting 24||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Saratov, Russia||-|Win|align=center|13–3–2|Oton Jasse|TKO (punches)|Gorilla Fighting 22||align=center|3|align=center|1:59|Krasnodar, Russia||-|Win|align=center|12–3–2|Steven Siler|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 2 (2019)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Uniondale, New York, United States||-|Win|align=center|11–3–2|Bekbolot Abdylda |Decision (unanimous)|Fight Nights Global 90||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Moscow, Russia||-| Win| align=center|10–3–2| Igor Tarytsa| Decision (unanimous)| Fight Nights Global 83| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Moscow, Russia| |-| Win| align=center|9–3–2| Turganaly Abdullaev| TKO (punches)| Fight Nights Global 74| | align=center|2| align=center|4:59| Moscow, Russia||-| Draw| align=center| 8–3–2| Evgeniy Ignatiev | Draw (overturned by Russian MMA Union)| Fight Nights Global 61| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Bryansk, Russia| |-| Loss| align=center| 8–3–1| Kuat Khamitov| Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)| Fight Nights Global 57| | align=center| 3| align=center| 3:48| Moscow, Russia||-| Win| align=center| 8–2–1| Ruslan Yamanbaev| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Fight Nights Global 51| | align=center| 2| align=center| 1:49| Dagestan, Russia||-| Win| align=center| 7–2–1| Vadim Kharin | TKO (punches)| Altay League: Siberian Battle| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:24| Kemerovo, Russia||-| Win| align=center| 6–2–1| Viskhan Magomadov| TKO (doctor stoppage)| Liga Kavkaz: Battle in Khiv 2| | align=center| 2| align=center| 4:57| Dagestan, Russia||-| Loss| align=center| 5–2–1| Gusein Esenbaev| TKO (punches)| I.D MMA 6| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:00| Saint Petersburg, Russia||-| Win| align=center| 5–1–1| Asalbek Kalandarov| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Open Dag Fighting Championship 5| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:16| Dagestan, Russia||-| Win| align=center| 4–1–1| Arslan Zagirov| TKO (punches)| Open Dag Fighting Championship 3| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:57| Dagestan, Russia||-| Draw| align=center| 3–1–1| Islam Kamaev| Draw| Liga Kavkaz: Grand Umakhan Battle| | align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| Khunzakh, Russia| |-| Win| align=center| 3–1| Rustam Khasanov| Submission (triangle choke)| rowspan=3| I.D MMA 3| rowspan=3| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:27| rowspan=3| Saint Petersburg, Russia||-| Loss| align=center| 2–1| Gusein Esenbaev| TKO (punches)| align=center| 1| align=center| 1:45||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Zagir Kazakov| Submission (triangle choke)| align=center| 1| align=center| 1:21| |-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Evgeny Sokha| Submission (kimura)| Octagon MMA Warriors 2013| | align=center| 2| align=center| 4:14| Zhukovsky, Russia| |-[52]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gadzhi Rabadanov. PFL.
  2. Web site: 2015-11-29 . Челябинский спортсмен стал чемпионом мира по ММА в составе сборной России - Лента новостей Челябинска . 2024-03-12 . chelyabinsk-news.net . ru.
  3. Web site: Гаджи Рабаданов — последние и свежие новости о спортсмене сегодня и за 2024 год на Спорт-Экспресс . 2024-03-06 . sport-express.ru.
  4. Web site: Гаджи Рабаданов установил рекорд на чемпионате мира по ММА . mediazavod.
  5. Web site: Челябинского бойца ждет трудный бой . 2024-03-06 . vecherka.su.
  6. Web site: Гаджи Рабаданов .
  7. Web site: Гаджи Рабаданов (Gadzhi Rabadanov) – биография топового легковеса Bellator, статистика боев - MMAExpress . 2024-03-12 . mma.express.
  8. Web site: Sherdog.com . Gadzhi Rabadanov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com . 2024-03-12 . Sherdog . en.
  9. Web site: Gadzhi Rabadanov MMA Fighter Page . 2024-03-12 . Tapology . en.
  10. Web site: Сборная России по ММА побила собственный рекорд на чемпионате мира! . 2024-03-12 . mmaunion.ru.
  11. Web site: 2015-11-29 . Челябинский боец стал чемпионом мира по смешанным единоборствам в Праге - Лента новостей Челябинска . 2024-03-12 . chelyabinsk-news.net . ru.
  12. Web site: В финале южноуральский спортсмен установил рекорд, победив соперника за 17 секунд. . 2024-03-12 . www.1obl.ru.
  13. Web site: Shtayura . Mikhail . 2015-11-29 . Челябинский спортсмен стал чемпионом мира по ММА в составе сборной России . 2024-03-12 . 74.ру - новости Челябинска . ru.
  14. Web site: 2023-06-15 . Гаджи Рабаданов: биография, статистика, рекорд, национальность, лучшие бои, где тренируется, чем увлекается . 2024-03-12 . mma.metaratings.ru . ru.
  15. Web site: Гаджи Рабаданов подписал контракт с FIGHT NIGHTS GLOBAL Новости FIGHT NIGHTS . 2024-03-12 . fightnights.ru.
  16. Web site: 2019-05-22 . Прогноз на бой Стивен Сайлер – Гаджи Рабаданов 23.05.2019 . 2024-03-12 . Legalstavka Legalbets . ru-RU.
  17. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2019-05-23 . PFL 2 2019 Results: Gadzhi Rabadanov Dominates Steven Siler . 2024-03-12 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  18. Web site: Temukaev . Temirlan . 2019-10-18 . Ни один российский боец не смог попасть в финал PFL, где можно заработать $1 млн . 2024-03-12 . Life.ru . ru.
  19. Web site: Ramazanov . Islam . 2020-02-09 . GFC24: чемпионский бой Чергесова отменен, Рабаданов поборется за пояс с бразильцем . 2024-03-06 . Информационный портал РИА "Дагестан" . ru.
  20. Web site: Aleks25 . Гаджи Рабаданов победил Жоао Пауло Де Моуру, став новым чемпионом легкого веса на GFC 24 Fightnews.info . 2024-03-06 . fightnews.info . ru.
  21. Web site: Raimondi . Marc . 2021-11-29 . Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC to land in U.S. in 2022 . 2024-03-06 . ESPN.
  22. Web site: Vashchenko . Sergey . EFC 30. Гаджи Рабаданов — Мехди Дакаев: прогноз и ставка. Рабаданов выиграет схватку 04.12.2020 . 2024-03-06 . Рейтинг Букмекеров . ru.
  23. Web site: Боец из Франции забрал пояс на первом турнире новой лиги Нурмагомедова EFC . news.ru.
  24. Web site: Кожевников . Александр . Рабаданов победил Грицутина на турнире EAGLE FC 33 и стал чемпионом лиги в лёгком весе . 2024-03-06 . www.championat.com . ru.
  25. Web site: Lee . Alexander K. . 2021-07-06 . Bellator signs Russian lightweight Gadzhi Rabadanov to multi-fight deal . 2024-03-06 . MMA Fighting.
  26. Web site: Рокотов . Алексей . 2021-08-02 . Лето продолжается. Впереди ещё целый месяц горячих боёв . 2024-03-06 . AiF . ru.
  27. Web site: Heck . Mike . 2021-07-31 . Bellator 263 video: Khabib protege Gadzhi Rabadanov destroys Daniel Carey with highlight-reel KO . 2024-03-06 . MMA Fighting.
  28. Web site: Wells . Matthew . Erickson . Matt . 2022-03-11 . Bellator 276: Exciting finisher Jay Jay Wilson explains why lightweight will likely be new home . 2024-03-06 . MMA Junkie.
  29. Web site: 2022-03-13 . Гаджи Рабаданов победил Джей Джея Уилсона . 2024-03-06 . AllBoxing.ru - все новости бокса и ММА (MMA) . ru.
  30. Web site: Vashchenko . Sergey . Гаджи Рабаданов — Бобби Кинг: прогноз и ставка. Бой не завершится быстро .
  31. Web site: Pilotin . Cienna . 2022-07-23 . Hawaii's Bobby King falls by unanimous decision to Gadzhi Rabadanov in Bellator 283 . 2024-03-06 . Hawaii News Now.
  32. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2022-11-11 . Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN Card Adds Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Koji Takeda . 2024-03-06 . Cageside Press.
  33. Web site: Segura . Danny . 2022-12-31 . Rizin FF vs. Bellator results: Gadzhi Rabadanov drops Koji Takeda early, wins unanimous decision . 2024-03-06 . Yahoo Sports.
  34. Web site: Ferraina . Richard . 2023-06-15 . Gadzhi Rabadanov is the Bellator 297 fighter to watch . 2024-03-06 . FanSided MMA.
  35. Web site: Duffy . Ben . Bellator 297 'Nemkov vs. Romero' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2024-03-06 . Sherdog.
  36. Web site: Cruz . Guilherme . 2024-03-11 . PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut . 2024-04-08 . MMA Fighting . en.
  37. Web site: Sherdog.com . 2024 PFL 2 Regular Season Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2024-04-14 . Sherdog . en.
  38. Web site: Shikhova . Valeriia . 2024-06-21 . Gadzhi Rabadanov vs Elvin Espinoza Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds │22 JUNE, 2024 . 2024-06-27 . www.telecomasia.net . en-GB.
  39. Web site: Albano . Thomas . Gadzhi Rabadanov dominates with pressuring and grappling, but playoff spot not guaranteed just yet . 2024-06-27 . bellator.com.
  40. Web site: Рабаданов нанес Эспинозе первое поражение в карьере на турнире PFL 5 - Sport24 . 2024-06-27 . sport24.ru . ru.
  41. Web site: Staff . 2024-07-09 . Main Cards Announced for All Three 2024 PFL Playoff Events . 2024-08-05 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  42. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-08-17 . Lightweight Final Set as Gadzhi Rabadanov KO's Michael Dufort at PFL Hollywood . 2024-08-18 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  43. Web site: Чемпионат России по самбо (боевое) мужчины .
  44. Web site: 15-16.12.2014г. Чемпионат Мира по боевому самбо 2014г. СОСТОЯЛСЯ . 2024-03-10 . realfight.ru.
  45. Web site: Russian MMA Championship 2015 MMA Event . 2024-03-12 . Tapology . en.
  46. Web site: Sherdog.com . Russian MMA Union - Omsk Cup . 2024-03-12 . Sherdog . en.
  47. Web site: Дагестанские самбисты заняли 1-е общекомандное .
  48. Web site: Chelyabinsk wrestler became world champion in a fight that lasted 17 seconds .
  49. Web site: Russian fighters dominate 2015 World MMA Championships . 2024-03-10 . philboxing.com.
  50. Web site: 2020-01-02 . Лоик Раджабов: биография, бои, соперники, инстаграм . 2024-03-10 . Legalstavka Legalbets . ru-RU.
  51. Web site: Bykov . Vladimir . EFC 30. Хомицкий – Гусейнов, Рабаданов – Дакаев. Результат и видео боёв . 2024-03-10 . karate.ru . ru.
  52. Web site: Sherdog.com . Gadzhi Rabadanov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com . 2024-03-06 . Sherdog . en.