Radmir Gabdullin

Did You Know?

• He graduated from three universities: SCOLIPE (2010), RANEPA (2013), and the Russian International Olympic University (2016).
• In 2012, he was elected Chairman of the All-Russian Collegium of Referees and also became Chief Referee of WMMAA.
• He replaced Fedor Emelianenko as president of the Russian MMA Union in October 2018.
• Under his leadership, the Russian national team won an overall final victory in the medal standings at the first post-merger World championship in Bahrain in November 2018.

Mixed martial arts career

Before joining MMA, Radmir Gabdullin was engaged in combat sambo. In 2007–2009, he took part in seven professional MMA tournaments organized by M-1 Global. In 2007–2008, these were tournaments of the M-1 MFC series; in 2008–2009, match tournaments of the M-1 Challenge series. He won victories in his weight category in five of them.

His wins included a unanimous decision over Magomed Rabadanov at M-1 Challenge: 2009 Selections 6, a submission (Achilles lock) over Artur Avakyan at M-1 Challenge - 2009 Selections 1, a submission (triangle choke) over Hoon Kim at M-1 Challenge 11: 2008 Challenge Finals, a submission over Jonathan Leon at M-1 MFC - Fedor Emelianenko Cup, and a submission (armbar) over Alexei Belyaev at M-1 MFC - Battle on the Neva 1. He suffered losses to Giva Santana by submission (triangle choke) at M-1 Challenge 17 - Korea and to Min Suk Heo by unanimous decision at M-1 Challenge 6 - Korea.

Gabdullin finished his career as an athlete in 2010 due to a worsening injury. In 2012, he started working at the Specialized Sports School of the Olympic Reserve in Martial Arts in Mytishchi, first as an instructor-methodologist, then as Deputy Director for educational and sports work, a position he held until 2015.