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UFC light-weight contender Rafael Fiziev modified the course of his profession with one kick.
As Rafael Fiziev will get prepared for his short-notice rematch with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, let’s look again on the struggle that modified Fiziev’s life perpetually.
Fiziev and then-Prime 15 mainstay Brad Riddell clashed at a December 2021 UFC Battle Night time occasion in Las Vegas. Driving a four-fight profitable streak, together with wins over Bobby Green and Renato Moicano, Fiziev was trying to make an announcement in opposition to some of the harmful contenders within the division on the time.
Fiziev, a dynamic striker, didn’t want lengthy to seek out his rhythm in opposition to Riddell contained in the Octagon. He battered Riddell within the opening minutes, stumbling him with leg kicks and fantastically timed counters.
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Rafael Fiziev flattened Brad Riddell with a spinning wheel kick
In Spherical 3, an exhausted Riddell finally succumbed to Fiziev’s nonstop stress. As Fiziev had Riddell preventing off the again foot, he threw a spinning wheel kick that landed flush, stumbling Riddell.
Riddell tried to get referee Herb Dean’s consideration proper after the strike, in what would possibly’ve been a plea to avoid wasting him from Fiziev’s barrage. Dean obliged, and Fiziev secured the Spherical TKO end to increase his profitable streak.
Fiziev’s end secured a post-fight Efficiency of the Night time bonus and a conflict with former titleholder Rafael dos Anjos for his subsequent outing. He knocked out Dos Anjos 18 seconds into Spherical 5 to cement himself as a high light-weight contender.
As for Riddell, the loss to Fiziev kicked off a three-fight dropping streak, which he has but to snap. He introduced a hiatus from MMA after a loss to Moicano at UFC 281 and was scheduled to face Thiago Moises final 12 months earlier than withdrawing as a consequence of undisclosed causes.
As for Fiziev, he’s trying to reclaim the magic that he showcased in opposition to Riddell in his rematch with Gaethje. A win at UFC 313 may doubtlessly earn Fiziev a title shot or, on the very worst, a No. 1 contender struggle.
Rafael Fiziev may soar the light-weight title line with an emphatic win at UFC 313
Fiziev returns to the Octagon 1 1/2 years since a knee harm suffered in opposition to Mateusz Gamrot in Sept. 2023. He’ll get a second shot at Gaethje after dropping by majority resolution of their first struggle at UFC 286.
Fiziev’s short-notice gamble comes amidst a time of uncertainty atop the light-weight division. Islam Makhachev is predicted to make his subsequent light-weight title protection later this 12 months, however who he’ll struggle is something however sure.
Ilia Topuria’s addition to the division provides one other dimension to the title dialogue. However Makhachev’s supervisor believes Topuria needs to win at least one lightweight fight earlier than making the case for a title shot.
That opens the door for Fiziev to doubtlessly skip the road and make a case for himself to get the following shot at Makhachev. However Gaethje stands in his means, and the UFC 313 co-main occasion is predicted to be fireworks.
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