Rinat Fakhretdinov: UFC 308 promises an intriguing welterweight showdown as undefeated Russian fighter Rinat Fakhretdinov faces UFC debutant and PFL finalist Carlos Leal. While Fakhretdinov has yet to record a UFC loss, his last two bouts showed vulnerability. In a close battle against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, he earned a hard-fought 28-28 draw, barely maintaining his unbeaten streak. This was followed by a contentious match with Denmark’s Nicolas Dalby, who escaped Fakhretdinov’s grappling attempts and outstruck him, leading many fans and media members to feel Dalby deserved the win.

Carlos Leal, known for his powerful clinch work and striking prowess, has an impressive record, with only one loss since 2014. With 50% of his career wins coming via knockout, Leal’s striking and clinch control could pose significant challenges for the Russian. While Fakhretdinov’s wrestling remains formidable, his struggle to control fighters outside the welterweight rankings raises questions about his ability to handle Leal’s pressure and knockout power.

In what looks to be a close fight, Leal’s ability to recover from grappling positions and deliver consistent damage in the clinch may tilt the fight in his favor. Given Fakhretdinov’s recent shaky performances, this matchup could be a nail-biter, potentially ending in a split decision. Many experts believe Leal’s debut could result in an upset, marking a key moment in the UFC’s welterweight division.

As fight fans eagerly await this bout, Fakhretdinov will need to bring his A-game to overcome the Brazilian debutant.