Rafael Fiziev

Ataman

Kyrgyzstan

Cleared for UFC return
LightweightUFC
September 10, 2024
Fiziev (knee) is cleared for his UFC return, according to MMA Fighting .
ANALYSIS
After nearly one year on the shelf due to a torn ACL, Fiziev is ready to fight in the UFC again. In his Tuesday interview with MMA Fighting, the Kyrgyzstani lightweight listed several contenders he is interested in fighting. In particular, the No. 9 Fiziev mentioned No. 5 Dan Hooker and No. 7 Beneil Dariush, who would be new opponents. Fiziev also mentioned possibly avenging his loss to No. 8 Mateusz Gamrot or even fighting No. 15 Paddy Pimblett to earn himself a higher-ranked contender down the line.
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Sustains torn ACL
LightweightUFC
September 26, 2023
Fiziev announced Monday via his personal Instagram account that he suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during his second-round loss to Mateusz Gamrot on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev suffered the injury while throwing a body kick with his right leg that was blocked by Gamrot. He didn't provide a return timeline, but he likely won't be able to fight for around eight months.
Leg injury leads to defeat
LightweightUFC
September 23, 2023
Fiziev lost to Mateusz Gamrot via TKO (injury) at 2:03 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
An unfortunate ending to what was shaping up to be a terrific fight. On the heels of a close, competitive opening round, Fiziev injured his leg after throwing a kick. He immediately winced in pain and dropped to the ground, at which point Gamrot jumped on top and referee Herb Dean quickly stepped in. It's the second straight defeat for Fiziev on the heels of his majority decision defeat to Justin Gaethje this past March, although that's of secondary concern until we get some clarification on the injury suffered.
Gamrot fight scheduled
LightweightUFC
July 27, 2023
Fiziev will fight Mateusz Gamrot in a lightweight bout at UFC Vegas 80 on Sept. 23, according to Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev will compete against fellow top-seven lightweight Gamrot during a fight in which both will try to establish their credibility more. The former lost to Justin Gaethje back in March, and now he is fighting in what could be considered a No. 1 contender's bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 two days from now. Meanwhile, Gamrot may have won his last fight, but it was only by split decision over No. 12 Jalin Turner.
Bested by Justin Gaethje at UFC 286
LightweightUFC
March 18, 2023
Fiziev lost to Justin Gaethje via majority decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-28) at UFC 286 on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
The top of the UFC's lightweight division is extremely crowded, and this was simply a loss Fiziev could not afford as a -250 favorite. It was a close, competitive fight throughout, as most expected. The early portion of the bout appeared to be in Fiziev's favor before Gaethje rallied over the final ten minutes. Rafael appeared to be the much quicker fighter, but Gaethje has made a career of dragging guys into brawls and finding a way to emerge victorious, and this one was no exception. Fiziev entered having won six straight, all impressively, so it's not as if his stock is completely cratered with this setback, but Rafael needs to do whatever necessary to ensure he doesn't suffer a second straight defeat. In the meantime, both men will take home a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Set to fight Gaethje
LightweightUFC
January 14, 2023
Fiziev is scheduled to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 on March 18 in a lightweight bout, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Fiziev underwent nose surgery in 2022 but is ready to return to the octagon. Fiziev defeated Rafael dos Anjos via KO in his last fight in July 2022.