UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev changed the direction of his career with one kick.
As Rafael Fiziev gets ready for his short-notice rematch with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, let’s look back at the fight that changed Fiziev’s life forever.
Fiziev and then-Top 15 mainstay Brad Riddell clashed at a December 2021 UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas. Riding a four-fight winning streak, including wins over Bobby Green and Renato Moicano, Fiziev was looking to make a statement against one of the most dangerous contenders in the division at the time.
Fiziev, a dynamic striker, didn’t need long to find his rhythm against Riddell inside the Octagon. He battered Riddell in the opening minutes, stumbling him with leg kicks and beautifully timed counters.
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Rafael Fiziev flattened Brad Riddell with a spinning wheel kick
In Round 3, an exhausted Riddell eventually succumbed to Fiziev’s nonstop pressure. As Fiziev had Riddell fighting off the back foot, he threw a spinning wheel kick that landed flush, stumbling Riddell.
Riddell tried to get referee Herb Dean’s attention right after the strike, in what might’ve been a plea to save him from Fiziev’s barrage. Dean obliged, and Fiziev secured the Round TKO finish to extend his winning streak.
Fiziev’s finish secured a post-fight Performance of the Night bonus and a clash with former titleholder Rafael dos Anjos for his next outing. He knocked out Dos Anjos 18 seconds into Round 5 to cement himself as a top lightweight contender.
As for Riddell, the loss to Fiziev kicked off a three-fight losing streak, which he has yet to snap. He announced a hiatus from MMA after a loss to Moicano at UFC 281 and was scheduled to face Thiago Moises last year before withdrawing due to undisclosed reasons.
As for Fiziev, he’s looking to reclaim the magic that he showcased against Riddell in his rematch with Gaethje. A win at UFC 313 could potentially earn Fiziev a title shot or, at the very worst, a No. 1 contender fight.
Rafael Fiziev could jump the lightweight title line with an emphatic win at UFC 313
Fiziev returns to the Octagon 1 1/2 years since a knee injury suffered against Mateusz Gamrot in Sept. 2023. He’ll get a second shot at Gaethje after losing by majority decision in their first fight at UFC 286.
Fiziev’s short-notice gamble comes amidst a time of uncertainty atop the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev is expected to make his next lightweight title defense later this year, but who he’ll fight is anything but certain.
Ilia Topuria’s addition to the division adds another dimension to the title discussion. But Makhachev’s manager believes Topuria needs to win at least one lightweight fight before making the case for a title shot.
That opens the door for Fiziev to potentially skip the line and make a case for himself to get the next shot at Makhachev. But Gaethje stands in his way, and the UFC 313 co-main event is expected to be fireworks.
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