Ali Akbar RosadyThree fighters, including an undefeated welterweight contender, have concluded their tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), with the organization opting not to re-sign them after their contracts expired. Rinat Fakhretdinov, Loik Radzhabov, and Elizeu Zaleski are no longer listed on the UFC roster, a development confirmed by multiple sources, including a UFC official, to MMA Fighting. The initial report regarding Fakhretdinov’s departure was made by Tom Feely via social media.
Rinat Fakhretdinov, known as "Gladiator," leaves the UFC with an impressive promotional record of 6-0-1. His departure is notable given his unblemished streak within the organization, which saw him establish himself as a dangerous and rapidly ascending force in the welterweight division. Fakhretdinov’s contract reached its conclusion, and the UFC subsequently chose not to offer him a new deal, a common business practice in mixed martial arts that is often dictated by a confluence of factors including fighter performance, contract terms, and divisional depth.
The 34-year-old Russian welterweight made his UFC debut in January 2022, securing a unanimous decision victory over Andreas Michailidis at UFC Fight Night 200. He quickly followed this with a dominant performance against Bryan Battle at UFC Fight Night 216 in December 2022, winning another unanimous decision. His momentum continued into 2023 with a first-round submission victory over Kevin Lee at UFC on ESPN 48 in July, a significant win over a former interim title challenger that underscored his grappling prowess. Fakhretdinov then demonstrated his striking capabilities with a devastating 54-second knockout of Andreas Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night 226 in Paris in September 2023, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. His last two outings saw him secure a unanimous decision against Preston Parsons at UFC on ESPN 54 in March 2024, and fight to a split draw against Cody Brundage at UFC Fight Night 240 in May 2024, a result that marked the only non-victory on his UFC record. Across his professional career, Fakhretdinov holds an overall record of 22 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with his UFC run representing a significant portion of his professional success. His blend of powerful wrestling, strong ground-and-pound, and increasingly dangerous striking had positioned him as a fighter to watch in the competitive welterweight landscape. The reasons for the UFC’s decision not to re-sign an undefeated fighter are not publicly disclosed but can range from disagreements on contract terms to strategic roster management in a division already saturated with talent. Given his strong record and demonstrated skills, Fakhretdinov is expected to attract significant interest from other major mixed martial arts promotions globally, including the Professional Fighters League (PFL) or Bellator.
Also departing the UFC roster is lightweight competitor Loik Radzhabov. Radzhabov, 32, concluded his UFC contract after compiling a record of 2 wins and 2 losses during his four-fight stint with the promotion. His most recent outing was a unanimous decision loss to Trey Ogden in July 2024. Prior to joining the UFC, Radzhabov was a prominent figure in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he was recognized for his aggressive style and significant accomplishments. He reached the PFL lightweight season finals twice, in 2019 and 2021, showcasing his high-level grappling and relentless pressure. In the 2019 season, he notably defeated Chris Wade and Emilliano Sordi before losing to Natan Schulte in the final. In 2021, he again fought his way to the final, defeating opponents such as Akhmed Aliev and Alexander Martinez before falling to Raush Manfio. These runs established him as one of the top lightweights outside the UFC at the time.
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Radzhabov made his UFC debut in March 2023, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Mateusz Rebecki. He quickly rebounded with a unanimous decision victory over Esteban Ribovics at UFC 288 in May 2023, followed by another unanimous decision win against Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC Fight Night 230 in October 2023. His final fight for the promotion was the aforementioned loss to Ogden. Radzhabov’s professional record stands at 18 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. His history with the PFL makes a potential return to that organization a strong possibility, as they often re-sign former talent, especially those who have proven their championship pedigree.
The third fighter confirmed to be leaving the UFC is veteran welterweight Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. The 37-year-old Brazilian, known for his exciting and often violent fighting style, departs after a challenging period in his career. Zaleski’s recent record reflects a struggle for consistency, with only one victory in his last five bouts. This includes consecutive stoppage losses that marked a departure from his earlier performances. He suffered a first-round knockout loss to Chidi Njokuani in May 2024 and was subsequently TKO’d by Neil Magny in July 2024. These recent defeats stand in contrast to a significant portion of his UFC career.
Zaleski made his UFC debut in May 2015 and quickly became a fan favorite due to his aggressive "Capoeira" inspired striking and willingness to engage in thrilling exchanges. He embarked on an impressive seven-fight winning streak between 2016 and 2019, securing notable victories over fighters like Sean Strickland, Max Griffin, and Luigi Vendramini. During this period, he earned multiple Fight of the Night bonuses, cementing his reputation for delivering entertaining contests. His overall UFC record was 9 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. However, following his loss to Jingliang Li in August 2019, Zaleski’s career trajectory shifted, with a more inconsistent run marked by tough opponents and challenging outcomes. His professional record is 24 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. Given his age and recent results, Zaleski may explore opportunities in other promotions or consider the next phase of his career, although his history of exciting fights may still make him an attractive prospect for organizations seeking to bolster their rosters with experienced talent.
The UFC’s decision not to re-sign these fighters underscores the highly competitive and performance-driven nature of professional mixed martial arts. While Fakhretdinov’s departure as an undefeated fighter is somewhat unusual, it is not unprecedented for the promotion to part ways with athletes who have fulfilled their contractual obligations, often based on a complex evaluation of performance, marketability, and financial terms. For Radzhabov and Zaleski, their departures align more closely with the typical trajectory of fighters experiencing mixed results or declining performance in the demanding environment of the UFC. All three athletes now face the task of navigating the free agency market, with their future paths in combat sports dependent on interest from other promotions and their own career aspirations.
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