Rafael Fiziev
Ataman
Kyrgyzstan
Returning at UFC 325
Fiziev (undisclosed) will take on Mauricio Ruffy in a lightweight matchup at UFC 325 on Jan. 31, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
The UFC has matched up Fiziev tougher than any other lightweight on the roster, which led to a three-fight losing steak when facing an absolute gauntlet. He bounced back with a win over Ignacio Bahamondes last June and had a great opportunity against Charles Oliveira scheduled for UFC Rio in October, but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. He now draws an up-and-comer in Ruffy, hwo had a three-fight winning streak snapped by Benoit Saint-Denis last September. Ruffy is a major finishing threat who will enter with slight height and reach advantages.
The UFC has matched up Fiziev tougher than any other lightweight on the roster, which led to a three-fight losing steak when facing an absolute gauntlet. He bounced back with a win over Ignacio Bahamondes last June and had a great opportunity against Charles Oliveira scheduled for UFC Rio in October, but was forced to withdraw due to an undisclosed injury. He now draws an up-and-comer in Ruffy, hwo had a three-fight winning streak snapped by Benoit Saint-Denis last September. Ruffy is a major finishing threat who will enter with slight height and reach advantages.
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Won't fight at UFC Rio
Fiziev won't fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC Rio on Oct. 11 due to an undisclosed injury, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The significance of the 32-year-old's injury is unclear, but Mateusz Gamrot is set to replace Fiziev against Oliveira at UFC Rio. Fiziev has lost three of his last four bouts dating back to March 2023 and holds a professional record of 13-4-0.
The significance of the 32-year-old's injury is unclear, but Mateusz Gamrot is set to replace Fiziev against Oliveira at UFC Rio. Fiziev has lost three of his last four bouts dating back to March 2023 and holds a professional record of 13-4-0.
Facing Oliveira in Rio
Fiziev will take on Charles Oliveira at UFC Rio on October 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev will head into the bout looking to build positive momentum coming off a recent decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes in June. The 32-year-old fighter from Kyrgyzstan will have to overcome disadvantages in both height and reach in comparison to the veteran Brazilian fighter. With an 8-2 professional record in KO/TKO finishes, Fiziev will likely be looking ot use his stopping power to take down Oliveira, though he will have to remain wary of the Brazilian's grappling skills (21-4 professional record in submission finishes).
Fiziev will head into the bout looking to build positive momentum coming off a recent decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes in June. The 32-year-old fighter from Kyrgyzstan will have to overcome disadvantages in both height and reach in comparison to the veteran Brazilian fighter. With an 8-2 professional record in KO/TKO finishes, Fiziev will likely be looking ot use his stopping power to take down Oliveira, though he will have to remain wary of the Brazilian's grappling skills (21-4 professional record in submission finishes).
First win since July 2022
Fiziev defeated Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev returned from a long layoff and dropped a unanimous decision to Justin Gaethje in early-March. He was right back in there tonight in his adopted home country of Azerbaijan and looked much better. Rafael made sure Bahamondes -- the tallest fighter in the lightweight division at 6-foot-3 -- wasn't able to pick him apart at distance. Fiziev was either all the way in or all the way out. No middle ground. He then landed two takedowns in each of the final two rounds to secure the victory. It was a very encouraging performance from Fiziev, and most importantly, snaps a three-fight losing streak dating back to March 2023.
Fiziev returned from a long layoff and dropped a unanimous decision to Justin Gaethje in early-March. He was right back in there tonight in his adopted home country of Azerbaijan and looked much better. Rafael made sure Bahamondes -- the tallest fighter in the lightweight division at 6-foot-3 -- wasn't able to pick him apart at distance. Fiziev was either all the way in or all the way out. No middle ground. He then landed two takedowns in each of the final two rounds to secure the victory. It was a very encouraging performance from Fiziev, and most importantly, snaps a three-fight losing streak dating back to March 2023.
Taking on Bahamondes
Fiziev will take on Ignacio Bahamondes in a lightweight bout at UFC Baku on June 21st, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev is in desperate need of a victory to snap a three-fight losing streak. Most recently, he lost to Justin Gaethje via unanimous decision back in March. His opponent Bahamondes, meanwhile, is the opposite -- he's won three straight and will look to keep stacking victories.
Fiziev is in desperate need of a victory to snap a three-fight losing streak. Most recently, he lost to Justin Gaethje via unanimous decision back in March. His opponent Bahamondes, meanwhile, is the opposite -- he's won three straight and will look to keep stacking victories.
Loses in return from long layoff
Fiziev lost to Justin Gaethje via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 313 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was an admirable performance from Fiziev, stepping in for Dan Hooker on short notice for his first fight since September 2023. He started quickly, winning Round 1 on all three scorecards, before Gaethje found his range and began to take control. Fiziev shockingly landed two takedowns early on, but he was clearly too tired to attempt that in the latter stages of the fight. It sure appeared as is Rafael was trying to pace himself knowing he wouldn't have a full gas tank, but it still ended up not being enough. Fiziev is clearly one of the top lightweights in the world, but he's now lost three straight (two to Gaethje) and is without a win dating back to July 2022. It's going to be nearly impossible for him to truly get back in the title conversation given his age and the depth of the division. On the bright side, he'll take home a $50,000 bonus after this matchup was once again awarded Fight of the Night honors.
It was an admirable performance from Fiziev, stepping in for Dan Hooker on short notice for his first fight since September 2023. He started quickly, winning Round 1 on all three scorecards, before Gaethje found his range and began to take control. Fiziev shockingly landed two takedowns early on, but he was clearly too tired to attempt that in the latter stages of the fight. It sure appeared as is Rafael was trying to pace himself knowing he wouldn't have a full gas tank, but it still ended up not being enough. Fiziev is clearly one of the top lightweights in the world, but he's now lost three straight (two to Gaethje) and is without a win dating back to July 2022. It's going to be nearly impossible for him to truly get back in the title conversation given his age and the depth of the division. On the bright side, he'll take home a $50,000 bonus after this matchup was once again awarded Fight of the Night honors.