After a 5-0 amateur run that culminated in a championship, Gadzhi Rabadanov made his name on the Russian regional scene, eventually winning a regional interim lightweight title in 2020. The former World Combat Sambo champion, who trains alongside Khabib and Usman Nurmagomedov at the legendary Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School, is currently on a seven-fight win streak. After going 5-0 in Bellator, Rabadanov made his PFL debut in April with a decision win over Solomon Renfro.

 

A freestyle specialist, Elvin Espinoza was a champion as an amateur before turning pro, entering tonight with a 10-0 record. Espinoza, with eight stoppages to his name so far, won a PFL contract with a submission of Damir Ferhatbegovic in 2023 after previously impressing in a pair of showcase bouts. Espinoza then defeated Keoni Diggs in another Showcase bout before earning his four points in the standings thus far with a third-round, flying knee finish of Adam Piccolotti.

 

Rabadanov gets into the playoffs with a finish, while Espinoza needs a win to keep his playoff hopes alive.

 

 

Round 1

 

The two bounce around the center of the SmartCage to start. Rabadanov with a jab. Front kick by Espinoza lands. Low kick from Espinoza. Combination by Rabadanov to answer. Rabadanov with a couple of left hands to the body. One-two from Espinoza, but Rabadanov answers with a combination that sees the right hand land flush. Combination by Rabadanov sees another right hand to the body. Left hand by Espinoza. Rabadanov shoots in, but Espinoza defends well, putting Rabadanov’s back to the fence on the takedown attempt. Knee by Rabadanov. Another knee from Rabadanov.

 

Rabadanov reverses the position and gets a double underhook. Rabadanov with some more left knees to the body. Another knee, this time a right one, from Rabadanov. Rabadanov continues to press and pressure Espinoza against the SmartCage. Espinoza reverses the position. Espinoza lands a knee before separating off the clinch. A couple of low kicks from Rabadanov. Espinoza lands a body kick, followed by a combination. Espinoza lands a knee.

 

 

Round 2

 

Rabadanov with a couple of left hands. One-two from Rabadanov. Espinoza is working behind the jab now. Rabadanov shows the speed with his punches. Espinoza with a speedy combination to the body. Three-punch combination by Rabadanov. One-two misses for Rabadanov. Rabadanov shoots in, but Espinoza counters the takedown with an Omoplata attempt. Rabadanov tries to stack Espinoza as he tries to free his arm. Rabadanov can do so, and now Rabadanov has a hold of Espinoza as Espinoza gets to his feet. Espinoza with a weird judo toss to free himself.

 

 

Left hand from Rabadanov. A couple of left hands from Rabadanov. Rabadanov grabs a hold of Espinoza and scores the takedown. Espinoza gets back to his feet, pressed against the fence once again. Rabadanov landing the jab as he works combinations, mixing up the high and low attacks. Low kick by Rabadanov. Espinoza landing the jab as well. High kick attempt from Espinoza misses to close the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

One-two from Rabadanov is met with a jab from Espinoza. Right hand from Espinoza. Rabadanov gets a takedown. Espinoza looking for a sweep into a kimura, but he will not get it. Rabadanov grabs a hold of Espinoza’s leg. Rabadanov, when free, jumps right to Espinoza’s back. Espinoza scrambles and gets back to his feet. Espinoza shoots in but is sprawled. Rabadanov gets right back to Espinoza’s back.

 

 

Back on the feet, Rabadanov lands a three-punch combination. Espinoza looks for another takedown but is stopped again. Espinoza backs up but goes right back in for a chest-to-chest with Rabadanov, who gets Espinoza’s back to the fence again. Espinoza goes down and looks for a guillotine. Rabadanov gives a thumbs up and is able to get out of the attempt. Rabadanov with a couple of right hands. Rabadanov stays on top. Espinoza unable to get another submission attempt on him.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Gadzhi Rabadanov defeats Elvin Espinoza by unanimous decision (in the Lightweight Division.

  • Rabadanov is in first place for now
  • Espinoza has been eliminated