Gadzhi Rabadanov made a name for himself in Russia before arriving to the PFL in 2019. He’d go on to sign with Bellator and go 5-0 before returning to the PFL this year. Rabadanov, the former Combat Sambo champion who trains at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov school alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov, scored decision wins over Solomon Renfro and Elvin Espinoza to score the No. 2 seed at lightweight this year.

 

After making his name on the Canadian scene, meanwhile, Michael Dufort made his PFL debut during the 2022 Challenger Series. Dufort has won five of his last six, has 10 submissions in his 13 MMA victories and has never been finished in a fight. Dufort, the training partner of two-time PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier, earned the No. 3 seed with a submission of Mads Burnell and a decision loss against Adam Piccolotti.

 

Who will move on to face Brent Primus for the 2024 PFL lightweight championship?

 

 

Round 1

 

Both feeling each other out in the center. Both flash the left hand. Straight to the body from Dufort. Left hand misses for Dufort. One-two from Dufort. Rabadanov lands a left hand. Front kick from Dufort and a right hand from Rabadanov. Rabadanov misses the left hand. Rabadanov misses again. Front kick from Dufort. Rabadanov lands a left hand. Rabadanov misses a right hand. Rabadanov throws a pair of left hands.

 

Both throw a left hand. Rabadanov lands a left hand. Dufort looks for a body lock, but Rabadanov shoves him off. Rabadanov shoots in, and he times his takedown perfectly, scoring it. Dufort threatening the neck with a figure-four guillotine. Rabadanov’s arm is in to protect the neck, but Dufort is using his limbs in a unique way to keep a hold of Rabadanov. Rabadanov is able to work out of it and get on top before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Left hand from Dufort. Right hand from Dufort to the body. Right hand lands for Dufort as Rabadanov looks to stay tight and land inside. Both miss big shots. Dufort looks for a takedown and takes Rabadanov to the fence. Rabadanov shakes Dufort off. Rabadanov lands a one-two. Rabadanov drops Dufort with a left hand! He pounds away! The ref steps in!

 

 

Gadzhi Rabadanov puts himself in the PFL World Championships in emphatic fashion!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Gadzhi Rabadanov defeats Michael Dufort by 2nd round KO (1:51) in the PFL lightweight semifinals, earning a spot in the 2024 PFL World Championship. He will face Brent Primus for the 2024 PFL Lightweight World Title and $1 million

  • Rabadanov moves his career record to 23-4-2
  • Rabadanov wins his 9th straight fight
  • Rabadanov is a training partner of Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov