about 2 months ago

Islam Makhachev Explains UFC Exit of Rinat Fakhretdinov: "America Loves WWE"

“The UFC needs fighters they can sell,” Makhachev said, urging Rinat to “learn English…put on a show.” Fakhretdinov exited after his contract expired despite a 6-0-1 UFC run and a September 2025 first-round KO. Rinat insisted, “No one fired us,” calling it non-renewal, not dismissal. He holds a 24-1-1 record and said nothing “terrible” happened moving on.