Rinat Fakhretdinov has officially signed a contract with the ACB JJ league. The post confirms the signing as official news but provides limited details about the terms or future plans. The announcement was characterized as an excellent signing for the promotion. No additional information about Fakhretdinov's plans or debut timeline was included in the brief statement.
Rinat Fakhretdinov, the decorated Russian welterweight known as "Gladiator," has officially signed with the ACB JJ league, the promotion announced on May 6, 2026, describing the deal as an excellent addition to its roster.
Fakhretdinov, 34, carries an impressive mixed martial arts record of 24-1-1 and trains out of American Top Team. Standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, the orthodox striker has built his reputation on a well-rounded game that blends volume striking with consistent wrestling. He lands 5.03 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, while also averaging 3.91 takedowns per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect an athlete equally comfortable on the feet or on the mat. Submission attempts are a smaller part of his arsenal, coming in at just 0.2 per 15 minutes.
No details about contract terms, a debut timeline, or specific competitive plans within ACB JJ were included in the announcement.
Why it matters
- Fakhretdinov's near-spotless MMA record makes him one of the higher-profile signings ACB JJ has secured, lending credibility to the promotion.
- His combination of striking volume and elite takedown output gives him matchup versatility that should translate well into grappling-oriented competition formats.
- At 34, Fakhretdinov is entering a new competitive chapter, and how ACB JJ deploys him will be closely watched by the broader combat sports community.
