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).

Gadzhi Rabadanov
Born (1993-07-01) July 1, 1993 (age 30)
Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
ResidenceChelyabinsk, Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia
NationalityRussian
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Reach72 in (183 cm) [1]
StyleCombat Sambo
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofMakhachkala, Dagestan, Russia
San Jose, California, U.S.
TeamAmerican Kickboxing Academy
Eagles MMA
Mamishev Team
TrainerAbdulmanap Nurmagomedov
Javier Mendez
RankInternational Master of Sport in Amateur MMA
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins21
By knockout6
By submission5
By decision10
Losses4
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision1
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing
 Russia
Men's Combat Sambo
WCSF World Championship 2014
Bronze medal – third place Moscow, Russia −74 kg
Men's MMA
WMMAA World Championship 2015
Gold medal – first place Prague, Czech Republic −70 kg

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.

Early life edit

Rabadanov was born in the village 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.[4][5]

Mixed Martial Arts career edit

Early career edit

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.[4][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][7][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.[7][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 edit

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 edit

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 edit

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]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Sambo edit

  • Russian Combat Sambo Federation (RCSF)
    •  Russian Professional Combat Sambo Championship-Samara, Russia (2014) at 74kg[38]
  • World Combat Sambo Federation (WCSF)
    •  World Combat Sambo Championship-Moscow, Russia (2014) at 74kg[39]

Amateur mixed martial arts edit

Professional mixed martial arts edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
27 matches 21 wins 4 losses
By knockout 6 2
By submission 5 1
By decision 10 1
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–4–2 Solomon Renfro Decision (unanimous) PFL 2 (2024) April 12, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 20–4–2 Pieter Buist Decision (unanimous) Bellator 297 September 3, 2023 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 19–4–2 Koji Takeda Decision (unanimous) Bellator MMA vs. Rizin December 31, 2022 5 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Win 18–4–2 Bobby King Decision (unanimous) Bellator 283 June 12, 2021 5 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 17–4–2 Jay-Jay Wilson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 276 March 12, 2022 3 5:00 Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 16–4–2 Daniel Carey KO (punch) Bellator 263 July 31, 2021 1 3:57 Inglewood, California, United States Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Win 15–4–2 Valery Gritsutin Decision (unanimous) Eagle Fighting Championship 33 February 9, 2021 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Loss 14–4–2 Mehdi Dakaev Decision (unanimous) Eagle Fighting Championship 30 December 4, 2020 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia Lost the EFC Lightweight Championship.
Win 14–3–2 Joao Paulo de Moura e Silva Decision (unanimous) Gorilla Fighting 24 February 9, 2020 3 5:00 Saratov, Russia Won the vacant EFC Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–3–2 Oton Jasse TKO (punches) Gorilla Fighting 22 December 13, 2019 3 1:59 Krasnodar, Russia
Win 12–3–2 Steven Siler Decision (unanimous) PFL 2 (2019) May 23, 2019 3 5:00 New York, United States Featherweight bout.
Win 11–3–2 Bekbolot Abdylda Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 90 October 19, 2018 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia
Win 10–3–2 Igor Tarytsa Decision (unanimous) Fight Nights Global 83 February 22, 2018 3 5:00 Moscow, Russia Lightweight return.
Win 9–3–2 Turganaly Abdullaev TKO (punches) Fight Nights Global 74 September 29, 2017 2 4:59 Moscow, Russia
Draw 8–3–2 Evgeniy Ignatiev Draw (overturned by Russian MMA Union) Fight Nights Global 61 March 11, 2017 3 5:00 Bryansk, Russia Featherweight return. Originally a majority decision win for Ignatiev, overturned later.
Loss 8–3–1 Kuat Khamitov Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Fight Nights Global 57 December 16, 2016 3 3:48 Moscow, Russia
Win 8–2–1 Ruslan Yamanbaev Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Nights Global 51 September 25, 2016 2 1:49 Dagestan, Russia Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Win 7–2–1 Vadim Kharin TKO (punches) Altay League: Siberian Battle September 14, 2014 1 2:24 Kemerovo, Russia
Win 6–2–1 Viskhan Magomadov TKO (doctor stoppage) Liga Kavkaz: Battle in Khiv 2 August 10, 2014 2 4:57 Dagestan, Russia
Loss 5–2–1 Gusein Esenbaev TKO (punches) I.D MMA 6 September 21, 2013 2 0:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 5–1–1 Asalbek Kalandarov Submission (rear-naked choke) Open Dag Fighting Championship 5 September 20, 2013 1 2:16 Dagestan, Russia
Win 4–1–1 Arslan Zagirov TKO (punches) Open Dag Fighting Championship 3 August 25, 2013 1 1:57 Dagestan, Russia
Draw 3–1–1 Islam Kamaev Draw Liga Kavkaz: Grand Umakhan Battle July 7, 2013 2 5:00 Khunzakh, Russia
Win 3–1 Rustam Khasanov Submission (triangle choke) I.D MMA 3 March 23, 2013 1 4:27 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Loss 2–1 Gusein Esenbaev TKO (punches) 1 1:45
Win 2–0 Zagir Kazakov Submission (triangle choke) 1 1:21 Lightweight debut.
Win 1–0 Evgeny Sokha Submission (kimura) Octagon MMA Warriors 2013 February 21, 2013 2 4:14 Zhukovsky, Russia Featherweight debut.

[47]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Federation of MMA of Samara at the time.
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  3. ^ "Гаджи Рабаданов — последние и свежие новости о спортсмене сегодня и за 2024 год на Спорт-Экспресс". sport-express.ru. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  4. ^ a b c "Гаджи Рабаданов установил рекорд на чемпионате мира по ММА". mediazavod.
  5. ^ a b "Челябинского бойца ждет трудный бой". vecherka.su. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
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  8. ^ Sherdog.com. "Gadzhi Rabadanov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  9. ^ "Gadzhi Rabadanov | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  10. ^ "Сборная России по ММА побила собственный рекорд на чемпионате мира!". mmaunion.ru. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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  12. ^ "В финале южноуральский спортсмен установил рекорд, победив соперника за 17 секунд". www.1obl.ru. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  13. ^ Shtayura, Mikhail (2015-11-29). "Челябинский спортсмен стал чемпионом мира по ММА в составе сборной России". 74.ру - новости Челябинска (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-12.
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  19. ^ Ramazanov, Islam (2020-02-09). "GFC24: чемпионский бой Чергесова отменен, Рабаданов поборется за пояс с бразильцем". Информационный портал РИА "Дагестан" (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  20. ^ Aleks25. "Гаджи Рабаданов победил Жоао Пауло Де Моуру, став новым чемпионом легкого веса на GFC 24 | Fightnews.info". fightnews.info (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Raimondi, Marc (2021-11-29). "Nurmagomedov's Eagle FC to land in U.S. in 2022". ESPN. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
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  30. ^ Vashchenko, Sergey. "Гаджи Рабаданов — Бобби Кинг: прогноз и ставка. Бой не завершится быстро".
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  34. ^ Ferraina, Richard (2023-06-15). "Gadzhi Rabadanov is the Bellator 297 fighter to watch". FanSided MMA. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
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  42. ^ "Дагестанские самбисты заняли 1-е общекомандное".
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  46. ^ Bykov, Vladimir. "EFC 30. Хомицкий – Гусейнов, Рабаданов – Дакаев. Результат и видео боёв". karate.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  47. ^ Sherdog.com. "Gadzhi Rabadanov MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-03-06.

External links edit