LAS VEGAS – Rinat Fakhretdinov had to do a double take when he was offered a matchup with Kevin Lee at UFC on ESPN 47.
Fakhretdinov (20-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) admits he was caught off guard when the promotion came to him with a fight against Lee (19-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC), who is set to make his return to the octagon Saturday at the UFC Apex after nearly two years away. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
“The first thought I had was, ‘Is this a prank? No way. Kevin Lee?'” Fakhretdinov told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 47 media day. “I thought they were going to call me and say, ‘No, you get a different opponent.’ Then I realized it was for real and I really was happy about it. He’s got a big name, he’s a former title challenger, he’s got a lot of media following, and he’s an important fighter. So, I was really happy to fight with him, and I’m excited to stand and bang with him.”
Since Lee made his UFC debut more than nine years ago, his talent and potential have been clear. He’s failed to meet expectations at times, but after changing gyms, management and winning one fight outside the promotion, he is back in hopes of starting another run.
Fakhretdinov is aware of all the ups and downs “The Motown Phenom” has endured, but he’s preparing for the best version of Lee.
“I’m not worried about the fact his record has losses,” Fakhretdinov said. “We have many champions in the different parts of MMA that has had losses before. I’m not thinking because he has losses he’s a weaker fighter or a worse fighter. I think he’s a strong fighter. It’s all about his preparation. How seriously did he take this fight? Is he going to come out? What kind of Kevin Lee is going to come out?”
Fakhretdinov enters UFC on ESPN 47 riding a 19-fight winning streak. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since June 2013, and just two fights into his UFC tenure is starting to garner attention as a potential future welterweight contender.
He wants to meet those expectations, and said being more active will be key to climbing the ranks. If he wins this fight, he hopes for another step up at 170 pounds.
“I think it really depends on what kind of win it’s going to be,” Fakhretdinov said. “If it’s going to be a submission, if it’s going to be a knockout, if it’s going to be a quick one. But I think that at least I’m going to be put in the top 20 with this win and I’m going to ask for a fight in Abu Dhabi. And hopefully in Abu Dhabi I’ll be able to fight someone in the top 15. My goal this year is to be in the top 15.
To hear more from Fakhretdinov, check out his complete UFC on ESPN 47 media day interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 47.
