Dagestan now has another world champion in MMA after Gadzhi Rabadanov pulled off a strong finish of Brent Primus to become this year’s lightweight title winner at the 2024 PFL World Championship in Saudi Arabia.
Rabadanov and Primus traded strikes early, with the former landing low kicks and his American counterpart responding with elbows and submission attempts when the fight went to the ground.
Primus notably looked for a guillotine, and even a rare gogoplata. The Dagestani defended the attempts well, delivering ground-and-pound as the ex-Bellator champ looked for openings.
Rabadanov dropped Primus in the second round with a strong right hand. Despite the veteran’s attempts at the rubber guard and more submission attempts, the Russian controlled the fight on the mat and landed some notable ground strikes.
The teammate of reigning UFC champion Islam Makhachev and former kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov then put Primus away early in the third with a powerful one-two that faceplanted him.
Gadzhi Rabadanov Wins PFL Lightweight Title With Third-Round Finish
The fake level change into a right hand here by Rabadanov was picture perfect! That was awesome
#PFLWorldChampionship https://t.co/6LNcMOOAea
— JG (@JakeGerberMMA) November 29, 2024
Gadzhi Rabadanov wins with a face plant KO win in round 3 at #PFLWorldChampionship
Gadzhi now has a 10 Fight streak and back to back TKO/KO Wins
One Million Dollars as well!
— Kevin (@realkevink) November 29, 2024
-UFC Lightweight champ: Islam Makhachev
-Bellator Lightweight Champ: Usman Nurmagomedov
-PFL Lightweight Champ: Gadzi RabadanovABDULMANAP NURMAGOMEDOV GYM
— General
Usman (@UsmanTime)
A former Combat Sambo world champion, Rabadanov joined the PFL following its acquisition of Bellator. He reached today’s title fight after wins over Solomon Renfro, Elvin Espinoza, and Michael Dufort this season.
Primus, meanwhile, earned wins over Bruno Miranda, Renfro, and Clay Collard to reach the Riyadh-held event on Nov. 29.