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UFC Declines to Re-Sign Rinat Fakhretdinov After 54-Second KO

Analysts link the non-renewal to year-end roster trimming driven by business priorities.

Overview

  • Fakhretdinov confirmed his contract expired and said the UFC chose not to extend a new deal, with no official explanation from the promotion.
  • The welterweight departed unbeaten in seven UFC bouts after a 54-second TKO of Andreas Gustafsson at UFC Paris, with prior notable wins including Kevin Lee.
  • He told fans he was not fired and that offers are already pouring in, adding he will share more details in an upcoming interview.
  • ACA publicly signaled interest in signing Fakhretdinov, while coverage also named Bellator and PFL as potential destinations.
  • Reporter Tom Feely noted roster removals that also included Loik Radzhabov and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, as commentators like Luke Thomas framed the moves as business-first decisions.