Rinat Fakhretdinov says he is unsure whether his professional MMA career will continue, describing a newfound mental peace since leaving the UFC. His contract with the promotion expired and was not renewed after he knocked out Andreas Gustafsson in 54 seconds last September. On July 5, Fakhretdinov will compete in a grappling match against Armen Petrosyan.
Rinat Fakhretdinov has cast doubt on whether he will continue competing in professional MMA after his UFC contract expired without renewal, describing a sense of mental calm since parting ways with the promotion.
The 34-year-old Russian welterweight, who trains out of American Top Team, carries an impressive 24-1-1 professional record. Known as "Gladiator," Fakhretdinov stands six feet tall with a 74-inch reach and has built his reputation on a well-rounded game, averaging 3.91 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a submission attempt rate of 0.2 per 15 minutes. His most recent UFC appearance came last September, when he stopped Andreas Gustafsson in just 54 seconds — a finish that, paradoxically, did not earn him a contract extension.
Gustafsson, the Swedish fighter nicknamed "Bane" who competes out of Vasteras Fight Club, entered that bout with a 12-3 record. The 35-year-old six-foot-one orthodox striker had posted an eye-catching 71 percent striking accuracy and a takedown rate of 6.19 per 15 minutes across his UFC tenure, making the brevity of Fakhretdinov's stoppage all the more notable.
Before any MMA decision is made, Fakhretdinov will step onto the grappling mats on July 5, where he is scheduled to face Armen Petrosyan. Petrosyan, nicknamed "Superman," is a 35-year-old Armenian fighter holding a 9-5 MMA record who stands six-foot-three and trains at Academy MMA. While his MMA output includes a striking rate of 5.84 significant strikes per minute, the grappling context of the July matchup puts different demands on both competitors.
Why it matters
- Fakhretdinov's uncertain future leaves a 24-1-1 welterweight without a promotional home at just 34 years old.
- His exit follows a 54-second knockout, raising questions about how UFC roster decisions are made at welterweight.
- The July 5 grappling match against Petrosyan could influence whichever direction his career takes next.
