Gadzhi Rabadanov, who is slated to compete against Kevin Lee in Lee`s anticipated PFL debut this Friday in a Wichita, Kansas semifinal bout, expressed having mixed feelings regarding the circumstances.
Rabadanov achieved a swift victory over Marc Diakiese in a mere 32 seconds during his quarterfinal match back in April. He was originally scheduled to face Jay Jay Wilson on June 20, but Lee was brought in as a replacement. While Antonio Caruso and Vinicius Cenci were initially designated as alternates for the 155-pound grand prix, Lee`s later inclusion has made him eligible to vie for the championship belt.
“For me, personally, he’s great opponent. I would like to fight him,” Rabadanov stated through a translator. “It’s just I think maybe it’s a little bit unfair that he jumped in straight into semifinals. It might be just unfair to other guys who were in the tournament, but overall I’m looking forward to this fight.”
Despite perceiving Lee`s direct entry as a potentially unfair advantage, Rabadanov affirmed his intention to approach this fight with the same focus as any other.
“For me, it’s not about what’s fair with the other guys, for me it’s about my next opponent,” Rabadanov explained. “And I’m gonna take them all out, regardless who’s in front of me. I just focus on myself, on my best performance, and just taking out my next opponent.”
He openly admitted the upside: “To be open about it, to be honest, I think Kevin Lee is a better matchup for me because of his name, because I’m going to get the extra media attention for that. So name-wise, I think it’s a great matchup for me.”
The article provides some context on Kevin Lee`s recent career path. He initially departed the UFC in 2021 after losing five out of seven fights, three by stoppage, before returning following a win over Diego Sanchez in March 2022. However, he was submitted by Rinat Fakhretdinov in July 2023 and was subsequently released again by the promotion. Lee most recently returned to winning ways with a first-round submission victory against Thiago Oliveira in the third quarter of 2024.
Reflecting on his opponent, Rabadanov speculated on Lee`s current state: “Maybe he got rest, maybe he got new motivation, maybe new aspirations. We’re gonna see how he’s prepared for the fight when we’re gonna be in the cage.” He noted his preparation: “I haven’t seen all of his latest fights. I’ve just watched some highlights of his UFC performance. I’ve seen his last fight with Sanchez in Eagle FC. I haven’t seen the latest one, but I know the skills are still there. It’s the question of his motivation, obviously, where he stands right now.”
With 14 finishes in his 25 MMA wins, including nine by knockout, Rabadanov is known for his finishing ability. He aims to secure another quick victory to earn his place in the $500,000 lightweight tournament final.
“Definitely, given the opportunity, I will try to knock him out in the first round,” Rabadanov stated with confidence. “I’m looking for spectacular fights. And I think my audience, my fans, already understand that. They like my style and I need to deliver to them.”
The Russian fighter enters PFL 6 on an impressive 11-fight winning streak, with five victories under the PFL banner and five from his time in Bellator. He trains alongside prominent lightweights such as Usman Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev. Rabadanov mentioned he “always believe[s] that I’m one of the best lightweights out there,” and contributing to his team`s standing at the top of the division fuels his drive for excellence.
Addressing this dynamic, Rabadanov commented, “It’s hard to tell whether it’s pressure or rather motivation. I feel responsibility. I’m responsible to showcase myself, to go there, to represent our team, all the skills. So if anything, I feel responsible for going out there and showing my best.”
Murray Blackwood