Mauricio RuffyvsRafael Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev is trying to bounce back after a rough stretch, and Mauricio Ruffy just got a reality check in Paris. Fiziev's coming off a nice bounce back win over Ignacio Bahamondes in June, landing 87 strikes and going 4 for 4 on takedowns. Before that? Two losses to Justin Gaethje, including a unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March where he landed 81 strikes but couldn't get it done.

That Gaethje fight showed Fiziev can hang with the best, but he's gotta start finishing these opportunities. Ruffy was on fire until Benoit Saint Denis put him to sleep with a rear naked choke in September. That loss snapped a three fight UFC win streak that included a sick wheel kick knockout of Bobby Green at UFC 313 and a decision over James Llontop at MSG. The kid's got serious power and creativity on the feet, but BSD exposed some holes in his grappling game.

This is a striker's dream on paper. Fiziev's switch stance Muay Thai from Tiger Muay Thai against Ruffy's orthodox Brazilian striking from The Fighting Nerds. Fiziev's the more technical guy with that nasty fifth round KO of Rafael Dos Anjos back in 2022, but Ruffy's got youth and momentum on his side. The question is whether Ruffy learned anything from getting submitted, because Fiziev showed he can wrestle when he needs to with that perfect 4 for 4 takedown performance against Bahamondes.