Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov early preview & prediction ahead of PFL Finals

As a long-time MMA enthusiast who’s seen my fair share of fights, I can confidently say that the 2024 PFL season has been nothing short of exhilarating, especially in the lightweight division. The semifinals were a true testament to this, with Brent Primus and Clay Collard on one side, and Gadzhi Rabadanov and Michael Dufort on the other.

As we approach the 2024 Professional Fighters League (PFL) season, there was a lot of buzz about the lightweight division being one of the most thrilling in the league. After all the action, the following semifinal bouts occurred at the PFL Playoffs on August 16: Brent Primus versus Clay Collard, and Gadzhi Rabadanov against Michael Dufort.

Initially, grappling specialist Brent Primus faced tough veteran Clay Collard. Primus had a slight edge in betting odds due to his superior ground skills, but Collard couldn’t be underestimated because of his knack for creating chaotic fights. Nevertheless, Primus managed control time and emerged victorious by unanimous decision. In the following bout, Gadzhi Rabadanov squared off against Michael Dufort. Rabadanov was favored due to his size, but Dufort’s unexpected entry into the post-season was a talking point. He advanced with a second-round submission victory over Mads Burnell, securing his spot in the semifinals.

As I took on Solomon Renfro and Elvin Espinoza during the regular season, it was clear that I was showcasing my world championship potential. With every unanimous decision win, I could feel the title getting closer. Then, at PFL Hollywood, I made a huge statement by finishing Dufort with a second-round knockout. The Russian in me was proud of this performance.

Rabadanov and Primus are set to square off in the million-dollar lightweight title bout. The exact date and location for the finale of the 2024 season remain undisclosed, but more information will be shared following the confirmation of the welterweight and featherweight bouts on August 23rd.

Here are three more contests set for the million-dollar prizes: Dakota Ditcheva against Taila Santos in the women’s flyweight category, Impa Kasanganay facing off with Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in the light heavyweight division, and Denis Goltsov battling Oleg Popov in the heavyweight class.

PFL Lightweight: Brent Primus and Gadzhi Rabadanov prediction

Initially, what catches the eye in this contest is Brent Primus’ impressive grappling abilities. As a previous Bellator lightweight champion and a third-degree black belt under Fabio Scherner, Primus poses more than just a wrestling danger. However, some spectators might challenge this viewpoint after his recent performance.

Gadzhi Rabadanov needs to steer clear of reckless ground battles since Primus possesses the unexpected knack to secure a sudden, million-dollar submission. Regarding his striking skills, while Primus may not have significantly improved throughout his fighting journey, he’s not just a one-dimensional fighter.

Ultimately, it appears that Primus’ gas tank ebbs and flows with each fight. At times, the 39-year-old seems fatigued in the second half, while on other occasions he continues to press forward aggressively until the very end. It will be fascinating to observe how his stamina fares should his upcoming match extend into the championship rounds.

Rabadanov boasts strong connections within Russia’s MMA community, as his manager is Ali Abdelaziz and Khabib Nurmagomedov serves as one of his training partners. However, unlike many other Russian fighters, the 31-year-old isn’t known for adopting a passive fighting style often criticized as “ground-and-pound.”

As a gamer, I’ve been honing my skills and evolving into a versatile fighter, and it was on full display during my brutal knockout victory over Michael Dufort. When I face off against Primus, I won’t hesitate to engage in grappling exchanges because my resilience ensures I can bounce back up, which should keep me from being pinned down.

As a diehard fan, I can’t help but notice the stark difference between Rabadanov’s and Primus’ fighting journey. While Rabadanov has undeniably seized every chance he’s been given, amassing an impressive 5-0 record in Bellator and 4-0 in PFL, Primus has consistently squared off against tougher opponents throughout his career.

On paper, Rabadanov is one of the most dangerous lightweights on the planet. Primus can’t be overlooked in this matchup, but the third-degree black belt has struggled against high-level opposition when he can’t fully implement his grappling-heavy game plan.

It’s tough to imagine anyone beating Rabadanov in the 2024 PFL season after his three fights. The Russian lightweight is equipped with both striking skills powerful enough to dismantle Primus, and grappling techniques that prevent him from spending extended periods on his back. Unless Primus manages to secure an early submission, Rabadanov seems poised for success in this matchup, potentially taking home the $1 million prize.

Official Predicition: Gadzhi Rabadanov by second or third round KO/TKO

2024-08-20 22:13