Kevin Lee is scheduled to make his PFL debut this Friday in a highly anticipated semifinal bout in Wichita, Kansas. His opponent, Gadzhi Rabadanov, has conveyed somewhat mixed feelings regarding the circumstances surrounding the fight.
Rabadanov secured a swift victory in his quarterfinal match in April, defeating Marc Diakiese in just 32 seconds. He was preparing to face Jay Jay Wilson on June 20th when Lee was announced as a replacement. Lee`s entry into the 155-pound grand prix semifinals came later than others and allows him to contend for the belt, a situation perceived as unusual given the tournament structure.
Speaking through a translator, Rabadanov shared his perspective:
“For me, personally, he is a great opponent. I would like to fight him. It’s just I think it might be a little bit unfair that he jumped straight into the semifinals. It could be unfair to the other fighters who were in the tournament, but overall, I am looking forward to this fight.”
Despite acknowledging what he views as an unfair advantage given to Lee, Rabadanov stated his intention to approach this fight with the same focus as any other.
He elaborated on his mindset:
“For me, it’s not about what’s fair for the other guys; it’s about my next opponent. And I’m going to take them all out, regardless of who is in front of me. I just focus on myself, on performing my best, and eliminating my next opponent.”
Rabadanov also added a pragmatic view on facing a well-known opponent like Lee:
“To be open and honest, I think Kevin Lee is a better matchup for me because of his name. I will gain extra media attention from it. So, in terms of name recognition, I believe it’s a great matchup for me.”
The article provides some background on Kevin Lee`s recent career trajectory. Lee initially left the UFC in 2021 after a challenging period, returning after a win in March 2022. However, he was submitted and subsequently released again in July 2023. He recently returned to the win column with a first-round submission victory in late 2024.
Rabadanov offered his thoughts on Lee`s current state:
“Maybe he got rest, maybe he got new motivation, maybe new aspirations. We will see how prepared he is for the fight once we are in the cage.”
He admitted to not having seen all of Lee`s recent bouts but recognized his skills:
“I haven’t seen all of his latest fights. I`ve only watched some highlights of his UFC performances. I saw his last fight against Sanchez in Eagle FC. I haven’t seen the very latest one, but I know the skills are still present. Obviously, the question is his motivation and where he stands mentally right now.”
Rabadanov has a strong finishing record, with 14 finishes in his 25 professional MMA wins, including nine knockouts. He expressed a clear goal for this upcoming fight, aiming for a quick end to secure his spot in the $500,000 lightweight tournament final.
“Definitely, given the opportunity, I will try to knock him out in the first round,” Rabadanov stated. “I aim for spectacular fights, and I believe my audience and fans already understand that. They like my style, and I need to deliver for them.”
The Russian standout arrives at PFL 6 on an impressive 11-fight winning streak, which includes victories under both the PFL and Bellator banners. A teammate of elite lightweights Usman Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, Rabadanov affirmed his self-belief and the motivation derived from his team.
“I always believe that I am one of the best lightweights out there.”
He reflected on the drive stemming from his training partners:
“It`s hard to say whether it`s pressure or more like motivation. I feel responsibility. I am responsible for showcasing myself, for going out there and representing our team and all our skills. So, if anything, I feel a responsibility to go out there and show my best performance.”
Percy Harlow