Rafael_Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev

Azerbaijani mixed martial artist (born 1993)

Rafael Fiziev (born March 5, 1993) is an Azerbaijani[7] professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter. He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of December 5, 2023, he is #8 in the UFC lightweight rankings.[8]

Quick Facts Born, Nickname ...

Early life

Fiziev was born in Korday, Kazakhstan, to an Azerbaijani father and a Russian mother. When he was a child, Fiziev's family moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.[9]

When he was a child, Fiziev's father bought him and his cousins boxing gloves and told them to spar. Initially, he did not enjoy sparring, and it was not until he changed schools as a teenager that Fiziev took up Muay Thai at the age of 11 due to being bullied.[10] While he concentrated on Muay Thai growing up, he also took up several other combat sports including combat sambo, boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling.[10] When switching from Muay Thai to MMA, he says learning the grappling was the toughest part but his striking and standup required adjusting as well.[10]

Muay Thai career

On April 29, 2016, Fiziev participated to the Toyota Marathon Tournament. In the quarter-finals he defeated Ruslan Rybakov by decision. In the semi-finals he knocked out Phakhow Darbphong 191. In Final he faced Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy who defeated him by decision.[11]

Fiziev entered the 2017 Toyota Marathon 154 lb tournament as well, defeating Detrit Sathian Gym by decision in the semifinal. In the final he rematched Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy. He lost again by decision but went viral on social media in the process due to the impressive lean back defensive technique he displayed.[12]

On April 21, 2017, Fiziev faced former Lumpinee Stadium champion Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong at a Muay Xtreme event in Bangkok, Thailand. Fiziev won the fight by knockout in the second round.[13]

On September 22, 2017, Fiziev faced Leyton Collimore at Phoenix FC 3 in London, England. He was defeated by unanimous decision.[14]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Fiziev made his professional MMA debut in 2015. He fought in Asian regional promotions such as ROAD FC and the American promotion Titan FC before he signed with UFC.[15]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In his promotional debut, Fiziev faced Magomed Mustafaev on April 20, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 149.[16] He lost the fight by first-round technical knockout.[17]

Fiziev next faced Alex White on October 26, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 20.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]

Fiziev faced Marc Diakiese, replacing Alan Patrick on July 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 172.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[21] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[22]

On August 5, 2020, Fiziev announced on his social media that he had signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[23]

He was scheduled to face Renato Moicano on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis.[24] However, Moicano pulled out on November 28 after testing positive for COVID-19 and the bout was rescheduled for UFC 256.[25] Fiziev won the fight via TKO in the first round.[26] This win earned him his first Performance of the Night award.[27]

Fiziev faced Bobby Green on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265.[28] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[29] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[30]

He faced Brad Riddell at UFC on ESPN 31 on December 4, 2021.[31] He won the fight via knockout in round three.[32] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[33]

Fiziev was scheduled to face Rafael dos Anjos on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201.[34] However, the bout was postponed to UFC 272 due to visa issues with Fiziev.[35] One week before the event, Fiziev was again forced to withdraw due to testing positive for COVID-19[36] and was replaced by Renato Moicano.[37] The bout was rescheduled the third time for UFC on ESPN 39 on July 9, 2022.[38] Fiziev won the fight via knockout in round five.[39] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[40]

Fiziev faced former UFC interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286.[41] He lost the back-and-forth fight via majority decision.[42] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night bonus award.[43]

Fiziev faced Mateusz Gamrot on September 23, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228.[44] He lost the fight via technical knockout due to knee injury in round two.[45]

Personal life

Outside of fighting, Fiziev enjoys blacksmithing with an emphasis on cold steel arms.[10] He is a devout Shia Muslim.[46]

In 2021, Fiziev revealed he would no longer be representing his home country of Kyrgyzstan during his UFC bouts due to the country's religious discrimination of Shia Muslims. He has since made Phuket, Thailand his primary residence.[46] In 2021, Fiziev became a citizen of Azerbaijan and now represents the country, and he is the first Azerbaijani representative to compete in the UFC.[47]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Muay Thai

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
15 matches 12 wins 3 losses
By knockout 8 2
By submission 1 0
By decision 3 1
More information Res., Record ...

[53]

Muay Thai record

More information Date, Result ...
More information Date, Result ...

References

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