Pouya Rahmani will compete once again outside of ACA despite owing the promotion one fight on his contract. On May 23 in Moscow, Rahmani (6-0) will participate in the FSA PRO CUP grappling tournament. The event will feature numerous top-level grapplers and presents a significant test for the undefeated ACA fighter. Rahmani's opponent will be Ruslan Abdulaev, a nine-time world champion in BJJ and grappling who holds a 5-0 record in Hardcore MMA. This marks another instance of Rahmani competing outside his primary promotional obligations.
Pouya Rahmani is set to step outside the cage once more, this time onto the grappling mats, as he competes in the FSA PRO CUP tournament in Moscow on May 23 — despite still owing his primary promotion, ACA, one fight on his current contract.
Rahmani, a 32-year-old fighter representing the UAE, carries a perfect 5-0 professional MMA record and stands six-foot-two with a 79-inch reach. He brings a balanced offensive profile to the grappling format, and his undefeated status has made him one of the more intriguing prospects operating under the ACA banner. His willingness to test himself in submission grappling competition outside of his contracted promotional duties signals confidence in his ground game ahead of whatever MMA assignment awaits him back in ACA.
Standing across from him in the tournament will be Ruslan Abdulaev, a formidable challenge by any measure. Abdulaev is a nine-time world champion in BJJ and grappling and backs that pedigree with a 5-0 record in Hardcore MMA, making him among the more credentialed pure grapplers Rahmani will have faced in any format.
Why it matters
- Rahmani competing outside ACA while still contracted adds further tension to his relationship with the promotion
- A victory over a nine-time world champion in grappling would significantly strengthen Rahmani's submission credentials ahead of future MMA bouts
- The stylistic matchup pits Rahmani's undefeated all-around game against elite specialist grappling pedigree
- The FSA PRO CUP field reportedly features numerous top-level grapplers, meaning a deep run would represent a meaningful résumé addition
