Another promising fighter from Russia has appeared in the UFC. Rinat Fakhretdinov walked for a long time to his first fight in Las Vegas. He had to leave MMA, experience difficulties in obtaining a visa. But fate thanked the fighter for perseverance. In front of an audience of millions, he achieved what he so strongly aspired to.

The opponent had no chance.

finest hour

The debut of Rinat Fakhretdinov in the UFC took place partly due to the talent and perseverance of the fighter, partly by chance. The gladiator went to Moscow to work, but in the end he became the capital’s champion in combat sambo and took the medal of the national championship. After a winning streak in mixed martial arts, he had to give up the championship belt in one of the organizations and even think about a rugby career.

It was too early to put an end to MMA – fate brought the athlete to the fighting island. Fakhretdinov’s rivals in the octagon were UFC veteran Eric Spicely, and among the spectators themselves Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dana White. Under the gaze of such persons, it was necessary to show your maximum. Fakhretdinov finished an experienced opponent in a brilliant manner and then cheered White up by saying that he was very hungry. However, the UFC boss quickly got down to business from laughter and invited a promising fighter to his organization.

Photo: © Personal archive of Rinat Fakhretdinov

Rinat carefully prepared for the first fight in the UFC, overcame difficulties in the form of a visa problem, worked hard in the gym, got Oleg Taktarov as a second and managed to agree on the opportunity to go out in the Tatar national headdress – a skullcap. And now the finest hour has come.

“Three minutes to the first victory”

In Las Vegas, at the next UFC Fight Night tournament, a debutant from Russia, little known to the local public, appeared. An unusual headdress flaunted on his head, and in the company with him was a whole ex-UFC champion. Whether modern MMA fans in the USA remember Taktarov’s fighting successes is a secondary question. But for Rinat Fakhretdinov, such support during the debut in unfamiliar conditions was definitely not superfluous.

The rival of the Russian, Greek Andreas Mikhailidis was already waiting in the octagon. The appearance of Fakhretdinov was greeted by the audience without much enthusiasm. However, the problem was not some kind of antipathy towards the fighter from Russia. It’s just that there were not very many of these spectators during the preliminary fights in the hall. Without the support of local MMA fans, but with faith in the success of fans from Russia, Gladiator began his first fight in the UFC.

Rinat Fakhretdinov / Photo: © Chris Unger / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.com

Rinat, without a shadow of embarrassment, behaved like a real favorite. He occupied the center, showed activity in the stance, and already a few seconds after the start he had a takedown. A quick victory did not work out, the Greek did not allow his opponent excessive liberties on the ground and even stood up for a while. But he immediately ended up at the net, and then on the floor. Approximately in this vein, all three rounds passed, only occasionally Mikhailidis broke into the operational space and tried to strike the enemy with a roundhouse kick.

Perhaps the fans of the Russian would like to see a victory by knockout or submission. But even without being able to finish the fight ahead of schedule, Rinat did not allow for a second to doubt his superiority.

“Three minutes before the first victory,” a Russian fighter sounded in the corner.

By this time it was already clear that only a miracle could help the Greek get away from defeat. But what hope for a knockout blow, when the bloody Greek continued to lie under the opponent? What are your thoughts on success on the ground when Fakhretdinov was in complete control of the situation? And indeed, at the end of three rounds, the judges gave the victory to the Russian fighter without a dispute.

Rinat Fakhretdinov / Photo: © Chris Unger / Contributor / UFC / Gettyimages.com

– I returned. I am very hungry! Let’s go! I didn’t fight for a year and a half, there were problems with the visa, I’m ready to fight. I don’t have good technique in standing and wrestling, but I fight with all my heart, ”Fakhretdinov admitted after his success.

It will be difficult in the UFC without good technique, but for the first steps, an outrageous attitude is enough. But, perhaps, Rinat aspired to the strongest organization in the world not only for personal victories. Finally, he recalled that he broke into the elite by starting in a small town, so every future champion must understand that training and hard work make dreams come true.

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