Rinat Fakhretdinov has expressed doubt about whether his professional MMA career will continue, saying he has found peace of mind and a more relaxed psychological state since leaving the UFC. His contract with the promotion expired and was not renewed following his 54-second knockout of Andreas Gustafsson last September. On July 5, Fakhretdinov is scheduled to compete in a grappling match against Armen Petrosyan.
Rinat Fakhretdinov, the Russian welterweight known as "Gladiator," has cast doubt on whether he will continue competing in professional MMA, citing improved mental wellbeing since his departure from the UFC.
Fakhretdinov, 34, trains out of American Top Team and carries a professional record of 24-1-1. Standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, he averaged 3.91 takedowns per 15 minutes during his UFC tenure, making him one of the more wrestling-heavy fighters in the welterweight division. His contract with the promotion expired and was not renewed after he stopped Andreas Gustafsson in just 54 seconds last September. He has since described finding peace of mind and a more relaxed psychological state away from the organization.
The fighter he finished that night, Gustafsson — nicknamed "Bane" — is a 35-year-old Swede representing Vasteras Fight Club. The six-foot-one orthodox fighter holds a 12-3-0 record and posted a remarkable 71 percent striking accuracy and 6.19 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC appearances, numbers that make the brevity of that September loss all the more striking.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his MMA future, Fakhretdinov is not stepping away from competition entirely. On July 5 he is scheduled to face Armen Petrosyan in a grappling match. Petrosyan, nicknamed "Superman," is a 35-year-old Armenian fighter out of Academy MMA with a 9-5-0 MMA record. The six-foot-three orthodox competitor averaged 5.84 significant strikes per minute and carries almost no takedown activity, suggesting a stand-up-oriented background that will present a contrasting grappling style for Fakhretdinov to work against on the mat.
Why it matters
- Fakhretdinov's comments raise questions about whether a fighter with a 24-1-1 record and clear UFC-level talent will return to the promotion or seek opportunities elsewhere
- His July 5 grappling bout with Petrosyan keeps him active without the psychological pressures of a full MMA contest
- The welterweight division loses a credible wrestling-based contender if he does not return to professional MMA competition
