Wikipedia

Rafael Fiziev

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 November 19, 2024, he is #11 in the UFC lightweight rankings.[8]

Rafael Fiziev
Fiziev in 2023
Born (1993-03-05) March 5, 1993 (age 31)
Korday, Kazakhstan[1]
NicknameAtaman
ResidencePhuket, Thailand
NationalityAzerbaijani (since 2021)
Kyrgyzstani (until 2021)
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
DivisionLightweight (2015–present)
Reach71 in (180 cm)[2]
StyleMuay Thai
Fighting out ofDeerfield Beach, Florida, U.S.[3]
TeamPhuket Top Team (2015–2017)[4]
Tiger Muay Thai (2017–present)[4]
Kill Cliff FC (2021–present)[3]
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bruninho Barbosa[5]
Years active2015–present
Kickboxing record
Total47
Wins39
By knockout29
Losses8
Mixed martial arts record
Total15
Wins12
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision3
Losses3
By knockout2
By decision1
Other information
OccupationPolice Officer[6]
Notable school(s)Police Academy of Kyrgyzstan
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's Muay Thai
Representing  Kyrgyzstan
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Jönköping −71 kg (B class)

Early life

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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

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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

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Early career

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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

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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 former KSW Lightweight Champion and KSW Featherweight Champion 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]

Fiziev is scheduled to face Mateusz Gamrot in a rematch on February 1, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 250.[46]

Personal life

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Outside of fighting, Fiziev enjoys blacksmithing with an emphasis on cold steel arms.[10]

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.[47] 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.[48]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Muay Thai

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
15 matches 12 wins 3 losses
By knockout 8 2
By submission 1 0
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 12–3 Mateusz Gamrot TKO (knee injury) UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot September 23, 2023 2 2:03 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–2 Justin Gaethje Decision (majority) UFC 286 March 18, 2023 3 5:00 London, England Fight of the Night.
Win 12–1 Rafael dos Anjos KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev July 9, 2022 5 0:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 11–1 Brad Riddell KO (spinning wheel kick) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Aldo December 4, 2021 3 2:20 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 10–1 Bobby Green Decision (unanimous) UFC 265 August 7, 2021 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 9–1 Renato Moicano KO (punches) UFC 256 December 12, 2020 1 4:05 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Marc Diakiese Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2 July 18, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Fight of the Night.
Win 7–1 Alex White Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Askren October 26, 2019 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 6–1 Magomed Mustafaev TKO (spinning back kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Oleinik April 20, 2019 1 1:26 Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win 6–0 Nurzhan Tutaev KO (body kick) Titan FC 51 December 21, 2018 2 0:51 Almaty, Kazakhstan
Win 5–0 Nandin-Erdene Munguntsooj KO (head kick and punches) Road FC 45 December 23, 2017 1 0:58 Seoul, South Korea Catchweight (158 lb) bout.
Win 4–0 Kim Seung-yeon TKO (knees and punches) Road FC 39 June 10, 2017 1 4:23 Seoul, South Korea
Win 3–0 Suraj Bahadur TKO (punches) Primal FC: Dark Moon Rising March 24, 2017 1 2:30 Phuket, Thailand Catchweight (159 lb) bout.
Win 2–0 Gunduz Nabiev Submission (rear naked choke) Boroda FC October 10, 2016 1 3:40 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Win 1–0 Sam Bastin KO (flying knee) W.I.N FC July 18, 2015 1 N/A Shenzhen, China Lightweight debut.

[54]

Muay Thai record

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Professional Muay Thai record (incomplete)
39 wins, 29 wins by KO, 8 losses
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2017-09-22 Loss   Leyton Collymore Phoenix FC 3 London, England Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2017-04-21 Win   Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong Muay Xtreme Bangkok, Thailand KO (Right Cross) 2
2017-01-27 Loss   Sorgraw Petchyindee Toyota Marathon, Final Phitsanulok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
For the Toyota Marathon -154 lbs title.
2017-01-27 Win   Dechrid Sathian Muaythai Gym Toyota Marathon, Semi-final Phitsanulok, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2016-12-30 Win   Oasis Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Right Cross) 2
Wins Bangla Stadium title.
2016-11- Win   Jilas Bangla Stadium, Final Patong, Thailand KO (Flying Knee) 2
2016-11- Win   Michael Bangla Stadium, Semi-final Patong, Thailand TKO (Body Kick) 1
2016-04-29 Loss   Sorgraw Petchyindee Toyota Marathon, Final Chonburi, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
For the Toyota Marathon -154 lbs title.
2016-04-29 Win   Phakhow Darbphong 191 Toyota Marathon, Semi-final Chonburi, Thailand KO (Right Cross) 2
2016-04-29 Win   Ruslan Rybakov Toyota Marathon, Quarter-final Chonburi, Thailand Decision 3 3:00
2016-04-01 Win   Wuttichai Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Spinning Back Kick) 2
2016-02-03 Win   Teelek Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Punches) 2
2015-12-27 Win   A Kuang Rattanachai Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Punches) 1
2015-12-27 Win   Jack Keawpituk Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Overhand Right) 1
2015-12-16 Win   Damien Sit.Or Bangla Stadium Patong, Thailand KO (Left Hook) 2
2012-06-28 Win   Rishat Livensho Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2010-05-08 Win   Sergey Kulyaba Mytishchi, Russia Decision 3 3:00
Wins WMF Intercontinental Light Welterweight title.
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes
Amateur Muay Thai record (incomplete)
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2016-05-25 Loss   Denis Kolotygin IFMA World Championships 2016, Semi-final Jonkoping, Sweden TKO 3
Wins 2016 IFMA World Championships (B-class) -71kg Bronze Medal.
2016-05-24 Win   Martynas Jasunias IFMA World Championships 2016, Quarter-final Jonkoping, Sweden Decision 3
2016-05- Win   Facson Perrine IFMA World Championships 2016, Round of 16 Jonkoping, Sweden Decision (Unanimous) 3
2016-05- Win   Serjio Villa IFMA World Championships 2016, Round of 32 Jonkoping, Sweden Decision 3
2011-09-21 Win   Antero Hynynen IFMA World Championships 2011 Tashkent, Uzbekistan Decision 4 2:00
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

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  1. ^ "Kazakhstani made weight for the third UFC fight" (in Kazakh). vesti.kz. July 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  3. ^ a b Rafael Fiziev [@RafaelFiziev] (February 26, 2021). "Arrived to Miami @MmaSanford. Who's next @seanshelby?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ a b "Rafael Fiziev explains beef with Phuket Top Team". asianmma.com. January 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Рафаэль Физиев: "У каждого мужчины должен быть характер воина!"". sport.kg (in Kyrgyz).
  6. ^ Dawson, Alan (2020-07-19). "Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev collided for an all-out 'Fight Island' war which included a cheat-code, kick-dodging, Matrix move". Business Insider Australia. Archived from the original on 2020-08-21. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  7. ^ Okamoto, Brett (July 10, 2022). "UFC Fight Night: Rafael Fiziev continues hot run in fifth-round KO of ex-champ Rafael dos Anjos". ESPN. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  8. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  9. ^ "Бьет ногами лучше всех в UFC, уклоняется от ударов, как в "Матрице". История Рафаэля Физиева" (in Russian). 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  10. ^ a b c d Blaine Henry (December 4, 2020). "Rafael Fiziev: Designing the Matrix". Fight-Library.com.
  11. ^ "Vidéos : TOYOTA MARATHON avec Sébastien BILLARD". Muaythaitv.fr. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Kickboxer Defies Physics with 'Matrix' Move to Avoid Devastating Head Kick". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
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  14. ^ ""PHOENIX 3: UK Vs the World" Fight Card Results". arabsmma.com. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  15. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rafael". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
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  17. ^ Hiergesell, Dan (2019-04-20). "UFC St. Petersburg Highlights! Mustafaev Scores Nasty Spinning Back Kick Finish". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-04-20.
  18. ^ Marcel Dorff (5 October 2019). "Rafael Fiziev vs. Alex White toegevoegd aan UFC Singapore" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  19. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-10-26). "UFC Singapore Results: Rafael Fiziev Puts on Dominant Show Against Alex White". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-10-26.
  20. ^ "With Alan Patrick out, UFC targets Rafael Fiziev vs. Marc Diakiese for July 18". MMA Junkie. 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  21. ^ Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-18). "UFC Fight Island 2 Results: Rafael Fiziev Puts On A Show Against Marc Diakiese". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  22. ^ a b Anderson, Jay (2020-07-18). "UFC Fight Island 2 Bonuses: Ariane Lipski's Horrifyingly Beautiful Kneebar Rewarded". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
  23. ^ @RafaelFiziev (August 5, 2020). "Happy to announce that I signed new 4 fight deal with @ufc Thanks to my management team @dannyrube @sayatmma" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Marcel Dorff (2020-09-27). "Renato Moicano vs. Rafael Fiziev toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 28 november in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  25. ^ amon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2020-11-21). "Renato Moicano tests positive for COVID-19, fight against Rafael Fiziev rescheduled for UFC 256". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  26. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-12-12). "UFC 256 Results: Rafael Fiziev Flattens Renato Moicano". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  27. ^ a b Stephie Haynes (2020-12-12). "UFC 256 bonuses: Kevin Holland leads $50K winners with KO off his back". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  28. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-07-10). "Rafael Fiziev vs. Bobby Green toegevoegd aan UFC 265 in Houston op 7 augustus". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-02-10.
  29. ^ Markey, Ross (2021-08-08). "Rafael Fiziev Takes Decision Win Over Bobby Green In Barn Burning Clash – UFC 265 Highlights". LowKickMMA.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  30. ^ a b Harkness, Ryan (2021-08-08). "UFC 265 Bonuses: Ciryl Gane Gets Surprise Extra $50k Performance Bonus". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  31. ^ Nolan King (2021-09-02). "UFC adds Rafael Fiziev vs. Brad Riddell for Dec. 4 Fight Night event". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  32. ^ Doherty, Dan (2021-12-05). "UFC Vegas 44: Rafael Fiziev Finishes Brad Riddell with Wheel Kick". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  33. ^ a b Steven Marrocco (2021-12-05). "UFC Vegas 44 post-fight bonuses: Clay Guida picks up 10th performance check just shy of 40th birthday". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2021-12-05.
  34. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev Headlines Feb. 19 UFC Fight Night Card". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  35. ^ Jesse Holland (2022-02-11). "Rafael dos Anjos vs Rafael Fiziev off UFC Vegas 48, rebooked for UFC 272 co-main event". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
  36. ^ Jed Meshew (2022-02-28). "Rafael Fiziev out of UFC 272 fight against Rafael dos Anjos due to COVID-19". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  37. ^ Damon Martin (March 1, 2022). "Rafael dos Anjos vs. Renato Moicano in the works as 160-pound catchweight co-main event at UFC 272". mmafighting.com.
  38. ^ Marcel Dorfflanguage=nl (2022-05-05). "UFC Third Attempt For dos Anjor vs. Fiziev, this Time as the main event on July 9th". Eurosport. Retrieved 2022-05-06.
  39. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-07-10). "UFC Vegas 58: Rafael Fiziev Finishes RDA In Fifth After Grueling Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
  40. ^ a b Ryan Harkness (2022-07-10). "UFC Vegas 58 bonuses: Michael Johnson and Jamie Mullarkey earn $50k each for Fight of the Night war". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2022-07-10.
  41. ^ Mike Bohn (2023-01-14). "Rafael Fiziev gets wish, meets Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  42. ^ "UFC 286 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje outlasts Rafael Fiziev for decision in grueling battle". CBSSports.com. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-19.
  43. ^ a b Matt Erickson (2023-03-18). "UFC 286 bonuses: The widely predicted Fight of the Night came through in London". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  44. ^ Brett Okamoto (July 27, 2023). "UFC finalizing Rafael Fiziev-Mateusz Gamrot for Sept. 23". ESPN.
  45. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-09-23). "Rafael Fiziev Knee Injury Ends UFC Vegas 79 Main Event Early, Mateusz Gamrot Awarded TKO Victory". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-24.
  46. ^ Alexander Behunin (2024-12-12). "Report: Mateusz Gamrot and Rafael Fiziev run it back at UFC Saudi Arabia in 2025". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  47. ^ "Fiziev leaves Kyrgyzstan because of religious persecution". Ringside 24. October 14, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  48. ^ Nag, Sayan (July 10, 2022). "Rafael Fiziev set to become first fighter to represent Azerbaijan in the UFC". Sportskeeda. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
  49. ^ Matthew Petela (January 27, 2022). "Combat Press 2021 MMA Awards: Breakout Fighter of the Year – Rafael Fiziev". combatpress.com.
  50. ^ "MMA Junkie's Fight of the Month for March: Lightweight contenders live up to hype". MMAjunkie.com. April 5, 2023.
  51. ^ Sherdog.com. "Sherdog's 2023 Round of the Year". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  52. ^ "IFMA World Championships 2016 Jonkoping, Sweden 19-29 May Official Results" (PDF). muaythai.lt.
  53. ^ "Денис Варакса стал чемпионом по древним правилам муай-тай". interfax.by. Archived from the original on 2021-04-28. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  54. ^ "Rafael Fiziev". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-07-19.

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