Athletes
Rafael Fiziev: ‘This Is A Big Challenge And Dream Fight'
Lightweight Rafael Fiziev Squares Off Against Justin Gaethje In The Co-Main Event At UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3
Eight months ago, Rafael Fiziev sat on his tool before the fifth round of his first UFC main event against Rafael Dos Anjos, conspiring with his coaches for the best strategy to close out the final five minutes of the fight. Eighteen seconds later, Dos Anjos was on his back while Fiziev stood victorious.
His victory over the former lightweight champion was Fiziev’s sixth consecutive win since suffering his first professional mixed martial arts loss in his promotional debut in 2019. That streak includes knockout victories over Renato Moicano and Brad Riddell, as well as impressive performances against Bobby Green and Marc Diakiese.
How To Watch UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3 In Your Country
Five of Fiziev’s six UFC wins resulted in either a Performance or Fight of the Night bonus, but what’s most impressive is how, despite a higher ranked opponent in front of him every time he fights, the outcomes stay consistent.
That success stems from Fiziev’s now permanent move to Thailand, where he trains alongside elite level talent at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. His time spent on what he refers to as “Miracle Island” led him to becoming a Top 10 contender in one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.
“Many people come to Tiger Muay Thai from [around] the world,” Fiziev said. “Many good fighters, many strong fighters also coming there because it’s so easy to train, then chill on the beach.”
MORE UFC 286: Fight by Fight Preview | Fighters On The Rise | Significant Stats | Rankings Repercussions
Fiziev’s newest challenge is Justin Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion who’s cemented himself as one of the division’s scariest challengers. “The Highlight” boasts five knockout victories in his six years with the promotion, as well as a Fight of the Year performance against Michael Chandler at UFC 268: Usman vs Covington 2.
Highlight: Rafael Fiziev Earns 13th Wheel Kick KO In UFC History | UFC Fight Night: Font vs Aldo
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Highlight: Rafael Fiziev Earns 13th Wheel Kick KO In UFC History | UFC Fight Night: Font vs Aldo
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On paper, it’s Fiziev’s toughest challenge to date, but one he welcomes with open arms.
“I’m happy for this [opportunity] because he’s a big name, a big challenge, and I like big challenges,” Fiziev said. “If I beat him, everybody starts talking about me [being on] a different level.
“I want to beat everybody; I want this belt. That’s why I’m here, that’s why I’m growing, that’s why I train. This is my life. Train and fight. This is what I have for me in my life.”
Before making his UFC debut in 2019, Fiziev watched and became inspired by Gaethje’s performances and the way he puts himself in harm’s way just to fire back with vicious intentions. But that was before Fiziev ever thought he’d clash with Gaethje on the biggest stage.
In the co-main event at UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3 on Saturday, Fiziev is forced to put his admiration aside for 15 minutes or less to continue on his path towards becoming the UFC lightweight champion.
“All my fights are important for me, but this fight, I’m very close now for the title,” Fiziev said. “Of course, it’s important for me to make a beautiful fight and win, but I don’t know how to explain it. This is a big challenge and dream fight for me because I watched his debut fight in the UFC and I watched all his career, all his fights in the UFC…I can’t say that I’m his fan, but I like his style. All his career I’ve watched him and now I fight him. What can be better?
“He loves to fight. He fights with his heart. He loves to make blood, smash his opponent going forward with hard punches. That’s what I like also doing in a fight. When two people like that go into the cage, there’s always some fireworks, some highlight. Now I’m happy. I don’t need to care about bonuses because I know my opponent [feels] the same.”
UFC 286: Edwards vs Usman 3 took place live from the O2 Arena in London in March 18, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
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