Gadzhi Rabadanov Bio
Gadzhi Kadiomarovich Rabadanov is a Russian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Professional Fighters League, or PFL. A professional fighter since 2013, he captured the 2024 PFL Lightweight Championship and the $1 million prize that came with the tournament title. Over the course of his career, he has also competed in Bellator MMA, Fight Nights Global, and Gorilla Fighting Championship, where he held the promotion’s Lightweight belt. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with a 72-inch reach, he is known for his southpaw stance and his Combat Sambo base.
Born in Makhachkala, the capital of the Republic of Dagestan, Rabadanov carries the fighting heritage of a region that has produced many of the world’s top mixed martial artists. He trained in freestyle wrestling as a child before turning to combat sports, and he continues to refine his craft with the American Kickboxing Academy, Eagles MMA, and Mamishev Team. As of early 2026, he is ranked among the top lightweights in the PFL.
Early Life and Background
Gadzhi Kadiomarovich Rabadanov was born on July 1, 1993, in Makhachkala, a city in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. Growing up in a region with a deep wrestling tradition, he spent much of his childhood playing football and training in freestyle wrestling. The mountainous culture of Dagestan, with its strong emphasis on grappling and combat sports, shaped his early athletic interests and laid the foundation for his future career in fighting.
At the age of 17, Rabadanov shifted his focus from freestyle wrestling to combat sambo, a discipline that blends striking and grappling and is widely practiced in the Caucasus region. He came under the tutelage of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the late legendary coach and father of former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Under that guidance, Rabadanov developed the well-rounded skill set that would later define his professional mixed martial arts career.
After finishing high school, Rabadanov enrolled at the Russian Legal Academy, where he balanced his studies with intensive combat sambo and MMA training. He eventually committed to martial arts full time after his third year of college, choosing to pursue fighting professionally. He later completed his legal degree with honors, an achievement that reflects the discipline he has carried into every area of his life.
Path to MMA
Rabadanov’s path to professional mixed martial arts began in the amateur ranks, where he quickly established himself as a rising talent. In 2014, he earned a bronze medal at the World Combat Sambo Federation World Championships in Moscow in the under-74 kilogram category. The following year, he won gold at the WMMAA World Championship in Prague at 70 kilograms, defeating future UFC fighters such as Ľudovít Klein and Loik Radzhabov along the way. His performance in Prague earned him the title of International Master of Sport in mixed martial arts.
During that same 2015 WMMAA tournament, Rabadanov set a record for the fastest finish in amateur MMA history by submitting his opponent in just 17 seconds. That record-breaking performance highlighted his finishing ability and caught the attention of promoters in Russia and beyond. In 2015, he also became the amateur MMA champion of Russia, further cementing his reputation as one of the top amateur lightweights in the country.
Rabadanov made his professional MMA debut in February 2013 at the Octagon MMA Warriors 13 event, where he defeated Evgeniy Sokha with a kimura submission in the second round. He went on to compete seven more times in local Russian promotions, building experience and sharpening his skills against a steady stream of regional opponents.
Gadzhi Rabadanov Career
Early Career (2013-2015)
Between 2013 and 2015, Rabadanov fought primarily on the Russian regional circuit, where he developed his craft and built a strong amateur and early professional resume. His early bouts gave him valuable experience against a variety of styles, and his Combat Sambo background allowed him to blend grappling and striking effectively. He also continued to compete at the international amateur level, where his performances brought him wider recognition.
His standout achievements during this period included the 2014 WCSF World Combat Sambo bronze medal, the 2015 WMMAA World Championship gold medal, and the 2015 Russian amateur MMA title. These accomplishments positioned him for a transition into higher-profile professional promotions, both in Russia and abroad.
Fight Nights Global Era (2016-2018)
In 2016, Rabadanov joined Fight Nights Global, one of Russia’s most prominent MMA promotions at the time. He competed successfully in six FNG events, adding experienced opponents to his record and continuing to refine his game. The promotion provided a strong platform for him to test his skills against seasoned professionals.
On May 23, 2019, Rabadanov also made a brief appearance in the PFL, defeating former UFC fighter Steven Siler by unanimous decision. However, recurring issues with weight cutting made it difficult for him to settle into a regular spot in the league, and he opted to return to Russia to continue his career.
Gorilla Fighting Championship Era (2020)
Back in Russia, Rabadanov signed with Gorilla Fighting Championship, where he was given the opportunity to compete for the lightweight title at GFC 24 on February 9, 2020. He defeated Brazilian fighter Joao Paulo de Moura e Silva by unanimous decision to capture the Gorilla Fighting Championship lightweight belt. The win marked his first major professional title.
Following the victory, Gorilla Fighting Championship was purchased by Khabib Nurmagomedov for one million dollars and rebranded as Eagle Fighting Championship. Rabadanov, still recognized as lightweight champion under the new banner, was booked to defend his title against Mehdi Dakaev at EFC 30 on December 4, 2020. Dakaev won that bout by unanimous decision, ending Rabadanov’s reign as champion.
Bellator MMA Era (2021-2023)
Rabadanov made his Bellator MMA debut on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263, where he knocked out Daniel Carey in the first round. The victory was a strong start to his Bellator run and showcased his finishing power. He followed it up with a unanimous decision win over Jay-Jay Wilson at Bellator 276 in March 2022.
He continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision over Bobby King at Bellator 283 in July 2022 and a unanimous decision over Japanese BJJ specialist Koji Takeda at the Bellator vs. Rizin cross-promotional event in December 2022. In his fifth Bellator appearance, he defeated Pieter Buist by unanimous decision at Bellator 297 in June 2023, capping off a successful run in the promotion.
PFL Era (2024-Present)
Rabadanov opened his 2024 PFL season with a unanimous decision win over Solomon Renfro at PFL 2 on April 12, 2024. He followed that with another dominant unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Elvin Espinoza at PFL 5 in June 2024. In the semifinals of the 2024 Lightweight tournament at PFL 8, he scored a second-round knockout of Michael Dufort to advance to the final.
On November 29, 2024, at PFL 10, Rabadanov faced Brent Primus for the tournament championship and the $1 million prize. He won the fight by knockout in the third round, claiming the 2024 PFL Lightweight title. In 2025, he entered the PFL Lightweight Tournament again, winning the quarterfinal against Marc Diakiese by first-round knockout and the semifinal against Kevin Lee by first-round technical knockout. His run ended in the final on August 15, 2025, at PFL 9, where he lost to Alfie Davis by unanimous decision. He returned to action on May 2, 2026, at PFL Sioux Falls, defeating Alexandr Chizov by unanimous decision.
Style and Strengths
Rabadanov fights from a southpaw stance and draws heavily on his Combat Sambo base. He is a well-rounded fighter, comfortable in both striking exchanges and grappling scrambles, and he has shown the ability to finish opponents in multiple ways. Training alongside elite coaches and teammates at the American Kickboxing Academy, Eagles MMA, and Mamishev Team has helped him develop a balanced and disciplined approach to the sport.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Rabadanov’s career came at the 2015 WMMAA World Championship in Prague, where he set the record for the fastest finish in amateur MMA history with a 17-second submission. His 2024 PFL Lightweight Championship run, capped by a third-round knockout of Brent Primus and the $1 million grand prize, stands as his greatest professional achievement to date.
Gadzhi Rabadanov Career Wins
Across his professional career, Rabadanov has compiled a strong record highlighted by championship success in multiple organizations. He has captured titles in Gorilla Fighting Championship, Eagle Fighting Championship, and the PFL, along with championship honors at the amateur level. His finishes have come by knockout, submission, and decision, reflecting his versatility as a mixed martial artist.
Bellator MMA Highlights
During his time in Bellator MMA, Rabadanov built an undefeated run inside the promotion, going five-for-five between 2021 and 2023. His debut knockout of Daniel Carey set the tone, and he followed it with decision wins over Jay-Jay Wilson, Bobby King, Koji Takeda, and Pieter Buist. That consistency helped him establish himself as a respected lightweight on the international stage.
PFL Highlights
Rabadanov’s PFL career reached its peak in 2024, when he won the Lightweight Tournament and the $1 million grand prize by finishing Brent Primus in the third round of the final. He added two more tournament victories in 2025, knocking out Marc Diakiese in the quarterfinal and Kevin Lee in the semifinal, before falling to Alfie Davis in the final.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of his major promotional runs, Rabadanov has scored notable wins in Russia’s regional circuit and in Fight Nights Global, where he competed successfully in six events. His international amateur accolades, including the 2015 WMMAA World Championship gold medal and the 2014 WCSF World Combat Sambo bronze medal, round out a well-decorated resume.
Gadzhi Rabadanov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rabadanov is of Dargin ethnicity and was raised in Makhachkala, in the Republic of Dagestan, a region renowned for producing elite combat sports athletes. He grew up around the strong wrestling culture of the Caucasus, which played a central role in his early development as a fighter.
Personal Life
Rabadanov currently resides in Chelyabinsk, Russia, though he has also spent time training in San Jose, California, with the American Kickboxing Academy. He graduated with honors from the Russian Legal Academy, balancing his academic pursuits with his commitment to martial arts from a young age.
2025 Season Performance
Rabadanov entered the 2025 PFL Lightweight Tournament as the defending 2024 champion, looking to repeat as both tournament winner and titleholder. He opened the season in strong fashion, knocking out Marc Diakiese in the first round of the quarterfinal at PFL 3 on April 18, 2025, to immediately establish himself as a frontrunner.
He carried that momentum into the semifinals at PFL 6 on June 20, 2025, where he stopped replacement opponent Kevin Lee by technical knockout in the first round. Those finishes extended his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the PFL lightweight division and put him in position to defend his title in the tournament final.
Rabadanov’s 2025 run came to an end in the final on August 15, 2025, at PFL 9, where he lost to Alfie Davis by unanimous decision. Despite the setback, his two first-round finishes earlier in the tournament reaffirmed his status as an elite competitor. He returned to the win column in 2026 with a unanimous decision over Alexandr Chizov at PFL Sioux Falls, signaling that he remains a top contender in the lightweight division.
