Rinat Fakhretdinov

Rinat Ryashitovich Fakhretdinov (He started freestyle wrestling and Kūdō at the age of 13.) In 2011, he moved from Saransk, Mordovia to Moscow and jointed the "sparta combat sambo club".

Mixed martial arts career In his early 20s, he transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA), participating in amateur tournaments and gaining experience. He secured the SFC championship and later received an invitation to compete in the GFC, a prominent MMA league in Russia. On 3 May 2019 he became the Gorilla Fighting Championship champion in middleweight division after a submission win over Alberto Pereira.

At the UAE Warriors 15 tournament, his knockout victory over Eric Spicely caught the attention of UFC president Dana White, who offered him a contract to join the UFC. This made Fakhretdinov the first Tatar fighter to compete in a Western MMA promotion.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Fakhretdinov made his UFC debut on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207 in a welterweight bout against Andreas Michailidis. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Fakhretdinov was expected to face Michael Morales on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. However, Morales pulled out and was replaced by Bryan Battle. Fakhretdinov won the one-sided fight by unanimous decision.

Fakhretdinov faced Kevin Lee on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48. He won the fight via technical submission due to a guillotine choke with in the opening minute.

Fakhretdinov faced Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. The bout ended in a majority draw.

Fakhretdinov faced Nicolas Dalby on June 22, 2024, at UFC on ABC 6. He won the fight by split decision.

Fakhretdinov was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308. However, Ruziboev withdrew from the fight due to an injury and was replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion and promotional newcomer Carlos Leal. He won the bout by unanimous decision, despite 16 of 16 media outlets scoring the bout for Leal.

Fakhretdinov was scheduled to face former LFA Welterweight Champion Gabriel Bonfim on February 15, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 251. However, Fakhretdinov withdrew from the fight due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Khaos Williams.

Fakhretdinov faced Andreas Gustafsson on September 6, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. He won the fight by technical knockout one minute into the first round.

On December 22, 2025, it was reported that Fakhretdinov parted ways with the UFC after completed his fight contract and was not re-signed by the promotion.

Professional grappling career Fakhretdinov competed against Douglas Lima at ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024. He won the match by unanimous decision.

Fakhretdinov competed against Craig Jones at Pit Submission Series 4 on April 20, 2024. He lost the match by submission due to a triangle choke.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2023: Ranked #9 Submission of the Year Eagle Fighting Championship (Then Gorilla Fighting Championship) GFC Middleweight Championship (One time) One successful title defence

Combat sambo Russian combat sambo championships — 2nd