Rafael Fiziev - News & Rumors - UFC

Next fight in Baku Fiziev will fight fellow lightweight Manuel Torres at UFC Baku on June 27, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.

Impact Fiziev will log at least one more fight in 2026 after beginning the year with a rough result, a TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy in January. Before then, the former ended a rough stretch by defeating Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision in Baku.

MAY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Volkanovski claims Mauricio Ruffy "couldn't move" before UFC 325 fight while battling serious illness Mauricio Ruffy produced one of the standout performances at UFC 325 by not only defeating Rafael Fiziev but also picking up a TKO win over his rival.

FEBRUARY 1 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Alexander Volkanovski dominates Diego Lopes for unanimous decision win at UFC 325 in Australia

In a masterful performance, as he’s done so many other times, Alexander Volkanovski successfully defended his featherweight title with a unanimous decision over Diego Lopes at UFC...

FEBRUARY 1 • Associated Press

Crushing defeat in Sydney Fiziev lost to Mauricio Ruffy via TKO (punches) at 4:30 of Round 2 at UFC 325 on Saturday in Sydney, Australia.

Impact This absolutely felt like a fight Fiziev had to have if he hoped to remain somewhat relevant in a loaded lightweight division. He looked fine for a round-plus, pressuring Ruffy and doing a nice job of cutting off the octagon. With not a heck of a lot going on either way, Fiziev got cracked with a right hand up the middle. He was immediately wobbled and was never able to recover despite being given more than an adequate amount of time by referee Dan Movahedi. Set to turn 33 years of age in early March, Fiziev is now sporting a 1-4 record in his past five fights dating back to March 2023.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

"I have to change my whole gameplan" - Charles Oliveira admits Mateusz Gamrot switch complicates UFC Rio camp Charles Oliveira is currently without a fight at UFC Rio de Janeiro, with Rafael Fiziev forced out by an injury.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

"I'm ready to prove it" - Mateusz Gamrot responds to Charles Oliveira's criticism, calls for fight in Brazil With Rafael Fiziev sidelined by injury, Charles Oliveira is left without a fight for UFC Rio de Janeiro.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Reports: Rafael Fiziev injured, out of bout in Rio de Janeiro An undisclosed injury has forced Rafael Fiziev to withdraw from his lightweight main event against Charles Oliveira at UFC Fight Night in Ri...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Rafael Fiziev injured, out of UFC Fight Night 261 main event vs. Charles Oliveira Another non-UFC pay-per-view headliner in October has taken a hit with Rafael Fiziev's withdrawal from UFC Rio vs. Charles Oliveira.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

"That would be perfect" - Fans react to ranked lightweight volunteering to replace Rafael Fiziev against Charles Oliveira at UFC Rio de Janeiro Last night, news broke that Rafael Fiziev had been forced out of his scheduled UFC Rio de Janeiro fight against Charles Oliveira due to an i...

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

"Anybody inside the top 10" - Benoit Saint Denis eyes quick turnaround after UFC Paris win, open to Rafael Fiziev or Charles Oliveira Benoit Saint Denis recently opened up about his next potential opponents following an impressive win at UFC Paris.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Facing Oliveira in Rio Fiziev will take on Charles Oliveira at UFC Rio on October 11, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.

Impact 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).

AUGUST 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

UFC fan favorite snaps losing streak in high-paced Baku co-main event The co-main event for UFC Baku saw Ignacio Bahamondes try to break into the lightweight rankings when he met Rafael Fiziev.

JUNE 21, 2025 • SI.COM

UFC on ABC 8: Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes odds, picks and predictions In a 3-round lightweight bout on the main card, Rafael Fiziev and Ignacio Bahamondes meet Saturday at UFC on ABC 8 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

JUNE 21, 2025 • AZCENTRAL.COM

UFC Fight Night Best Bets: Hill vs. Roundtree, Blaydes vs. Kuniev Picks and Predictions | Deadspin.com Get the best UFC Fight Night betting picks and predictions, including Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizan Kuniev to not go the distance, Khalil Rountre...

JUNE 21, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

2025 UFC Fight Night Odds: Khalil Rountree, Jamahal Hill Tied On Board

Khalil Rountree and Jamahal Hill are tied on the board for UFC Fight Night. Here are the odds for Saturday's main event and for the exciting...

JUNE 20, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

2025 UFC Fight Night Odds: Khalil Rountree, Jamahal Hill Tied On Board

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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rafael Fiziev Teases Featherweight Switch After UFC 313 Defeat UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev revealed that he is considering a move down to the featherweight division for his next fight.

MARCH 12, 2025 • SACBEE.COM

Rafael Fiziev contemplates featherweight move after UFC 313 loss UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev is thinking of making a featherweight drop following his loss at Saturday’s UFC 313.

MARCH 12, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Rafael Fiziev says there is strong possibility he moves down to featherweight: "I cut weight very easy this time" Rafael Fiziev recently opened up about his future following his loss to Justin Gaethje and made it known that he believes his next bout will...

MARCH 12, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

'WWE and The Rock and these guys do so well" - Ex-UFC champion wants "honest" Justin Gaethje to market himself better, as potential title shot looms A former UFC champion recently weighed in on Justin Gaethje's latest win over Rafael Fiziev and explained why he should market himself bette...

MARCH 10, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

"Justin Gaethje is not a striker like any other striker we've seen" - Ex-UFC figher makes eye-opening claims on 'The Highlight's' stand up game Justin Gaethje's proficiency in the striking department against Rafael Fiziev caught the eye of many with a UFC veteran indicating how impre...

MARCH 10, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313: Best photos Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313: Best photos Check out the best photos from Justin Gaethje’s unanimous decision win over Rafael...

MARCH 9, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

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