UFC 308: Newcomer saves welterweight clash on Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway fight card

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rinat Fakhretdinov will fight at UFC 308 after all.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Fakhretdinov now faces UFC newcomer Carlos Leal at the Oct. 26 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi. Eurosport was first to report the booking.

Leal steps in for Nursulton Ruziboev, who was forced to withdraw from the bout for undisclosed reasons, making his octagon debut on a week’s notice. A seven-fight PFL veteran, with a 3-0 record competing for LFA, “The Lion” made it to the playoffs for PFL’s 2023 season, but was defeated by Sadibou Sy. Since then, Leal has finished his past two opponents in the first round.

Fakhretdinov is unbeaten inside the octagon and in his past 11 fights. The 33-year-old recently picked up a hard fought split decision win over Nicolas Dalby at June’s UFC Saudi Arabia event.

UFC 308 is headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway for the UFC featherweight title.