Can Rafael Fiziev Win His First Fight Since 2022?
It’s certainly been a rough three years for Rafael Fiziev. Fiziev, who was once one of the UFC Lightweight Division’s top prospects, has gone winless in his last three fights. For almost any other fighter, a three-fight losing streak would derail their hype trains for good. However, due to Fiziev’s dangerous Muay Thai background, which comes with otherworldly speed, Fiziev has, for the most part, preserved his hype along with his vocal fan base. A loss at UFC Fight Night Baku, Azerbaijan, would almost certainly be the final blow to Fiziev’s championship aspirations in the Lightweight Division. In a must-win fight, can Rafael Fiziev snap a three-year losing streak?
When discussing Rafael Fiziev’s three-fight losing streak, it's essential to examine the circumstances that led to an uber-talented striker like Fiziev going winless for three years. Following his main event knockout win over Rafael Dos Anjos in 2022, Fiziev would enter the biggest fight of his life against Justin Gaethje. A win over Gaethje would have almost certainly propelled Fiziev into a Lightweight Championship fight. However, Fiziev would lose a close three-round war to Gaethje that would be the beginning of the biggest slump in ‘Ataman’s’ career. Fiziev would look to bounce back against Mateusz Gamrot six months after his defeat to Justin Gaethje. The fight would have an anticlimactic finish, as Rafael Fiziev would suffer a torn ACL in the second round.
The injury Rafael Fiziev suffered in the Gamrot fight sidelined him for the entirety of 2024. At UFC 313, Justin Gaethje was scheduled to face Dan Hooker in a battle for the ages. The potential fight-of-the-year contender would not take place, as Dan Hooker would have to pull out of the fight with an injury. Rafael Fiziev would end up replacing Hooker with just 10 days notice in his first fight since suffering a torn ACL. The rematch with Gaethje would be nearly identical to the first. Fiziev would take the first round from Gaethje, before losing the next two.
Rafael Fiziev will be making his return to the Octagon at UFC Fight Night Baku, Azerbaijan, against rising Lightweight prospect Ignacio Bahamondes. Bahamondes is currently riding the high of a three-fight win streak in which all three wins come by finishes. Rafael Fiziev’s three-fight losing streak is marred by injury and lack of preparation. However, Fiziev is healthy, and with a full training camp, should have no excuses against Bahamondes. You rarely see a fighter as talented as Fiziev go so long without a win, but tonight could be the night we see Rafael Fiziev finally get his hand raised again.
