Fakhretdinov agreed to replace his opponent. The Russian runs a big risk
Igor Nekrasov October 22, 2024, 09:30 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
Rinat did not refuse the fight in Abu Dhabi.
The next UFC tournament will take place in Abu Dhabi on October 26, led by featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and former belt holder Max Holloway. The tournament in the United Arab Emirates traditionally brings together a large number of fighters from Russia on the card, and this one was no exception. Thanks to the convenient time zone, many residents of our country will find it convenient to follow UFC 308. The start of the tournament is scheduled for 17:00 Moscow time. The main map starts at 21:00 Moscow time.
Russian welterweight Rinat Fakhretdinov will fight on the preliminary card. Initially, his opponent was supposed to be an experienced fighter from Uzbekistan, Nursulton Ruziboev, but due to injury he was forced to withdraw from the fight. However, Fakhretdinov will continue to perform in the tournament: he agreed to fight against the league’s debutant, Brazilian Carlos Leal Miranda. A risky move, considering that our compatriot was preparing for a completely different opponent and with a completely different style.
Even though Leal will be having his first fight in the UFC, he has a solid fighting career behind him. He began his professional career a year earlier than Rinat, in 2012. He started in the local leagues of his homeland, in the first nine games he won six victories and suffered three defeats, which was not the most outstanding start to his career. But then Carlos started to improve and went on an 11-fight winning streak, while Leal managed to compete in both Bellator and PFL. In the PFL, by the way, the Brazilian did not defeat just anyone, but the organization’s two-time Grand Prix winner, Ray Cooper III. But Carlos could not beat another PFL guest, Sadibu Si, losing twice to the representative of Sweden.
Online transmission of the tournament:
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UFC 308: Chimaev’s return, Ankalaev’s contender fight and the “sea” of Russians. LIVE
Leal spent his last two fights in other famous leagues: UAE Warriors and LFA. The latter’s fighters are closely watched by UFC matchmakers, and a first-round knockout in a fight with Manuel Mena convinced them that Carlos was worth signing. This is how the Brazilian arrived at the UFC and will make his debut next weekend.
Leal is a fairly strong and inflexible fighter. He suffered five defeats as a professional, four of them by decision and one by submission. The same statistics indicate that the Brazilian knows how to take hits, and this despite the fact that Karslos has a fairly aggressive fighting style. Leal loves to commit suicide on the stand and does so very successfully: he obtained half of his career victories, that is, 10, by knockout. His last four victorious fights also ended early, so this guy definitely knows how to punch. Like all Brazilians, Carlos feels good on the ground, has jiu-jitsu skills and is a fairly versatile fighter, but at the same time, Leal’s emphasis is on the stand. So it will definitely not be an easy road for Fakhretdinov, given that Rinat was preparing for another opponent.
Rinat’s last fight was difficult:
Gladiator Challenge! Fakhretdinov defeated the powerful Dane in a difficult battle
This will be the sixth fight in the UFC for the Russian fighter. Rinat started well, confidently defeating Andreas Mikhailidis and Brian Battle by decision, and then “strangling” Khabib’s eternal loophole seeker Kevin Lee. But in the last two fights, Fakhretdinov had more serious opposition and the fights turned out to be much more difficult. Rinat drew the fight with Eliseu Zaleski, and Fakhretdinov defeated the strong Dane Nicholas Dolby by split decision. The Russian is still striving to break into the top 15 at welterweight, and is even ready to fight a debutant with a week’s notice. The UFC loves these fighters, so it’s entirely possible that a win over the Brazilian, especially a brilliant one, will help Rinat reach the rankings. And then there will be serious fights and more high-status rivals. All that remains is to achieve this victory.
