Rabadanov vs Espinoza

Who won Rabadanov vs Espinoza?

Gadzhi Rabadanov beat Elvin Espinoza by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest during the prelims of PFL 5, on Friday 21st June 2024 at Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

The scorecards were announced in favor of the winner Gadzhi Rabadanov.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

Rabadanov vs Espinoza stats

Gadzhi Rabadanov stepped into the octagon with a record of 21 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw, 6 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 5 by submission.

Elvin Espinoza made his way to the cage with an unblemished record of 10 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, 4 of those wins coming by knock out and 4 by submission.

This was Gadzhi Rabadanov's 4th fight in the PFL, having made his debut for the promotion in 2019. Elvin Espinoza marked his 7th fight for them, having made his own debut for the promotion in 2021.

Gadzhi Rabadanov's PFL record stood at 4-0-0, while Elvin Espinoza's came in at 5-2-0.

The stats suggested Espinoza had an advantage in power over Rabadanov, with a 40% knock out percentage over Rabadanov's 29%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Espinoza had an advantage over Rabadanov, with a 40% submission rate over Rabadanov's 24%.

Gadzhi Rabadanov was the younger man by 31 years, at years old.

Espinoza had a 1-inch reach advantage.

Rabadanov was the more experienced professional fighter, having had 16 more fights, and made his debut in 2013, 5 years and 9 months earlier than Espinoza, whose first professional fight was in 2018. He had fought 42 more professional rounds, 66 to Espinoza's 24.

Rabadanov vs Espinoza form

Rabadanov had won all 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 1 opponent and going to the judges 4 times.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had won against Pieter Buist at Bellator 297 on 16th June 2023 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Koji Takeda at Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN on 31st December 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Bobby King at Bellator MMA on 22nd July 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel, Tacoma, United States.

Before that, he was victorious against Jay Jay Wilson at Bellator 276 on 11th March 2022 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at The Family Arena, St. Louis.

He had won against Daniel Carey at Bellator 263 on 31st July 2021 by knockout in the 1st round at The Forum, Inglewood.

Activity check

Rabadanov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 13 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 7 months and 16 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

Espinoza's last 4 fights had come over a period of 3 years and 1 month, meaning he had been fighting on average every 9 months and 8 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 9 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.3 rounds on average.

What time did Rabadanov vs Espinoza start?

The fighters were expected to walk out at around 10:10 PM UTC , which was 6:10 PM EST or 3:10 PM PST on the West Coast of America, or 11:10 PM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Rabadanov vs Espinoza?

Gadzhi Rabadanov was a 7/20 (-300) favourite going into the contest, while Elvin Espinoza made his way into the ring at 39/20 (+210) with oddsmakers.