Rafael Fiziev rejects label as product of Kyrgyz MMA, praises Rajabali as a phenomenon

UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev has distanced himself from being called a product of Kyrgyz martial arts, stating he considers himself self-made. Fiziev credited fighters like Rajabali and Orolbai as genuine phenomena from the region while noting that Valentina Shevchenko trained in Kyrgyzstan for only five or six years before developing her career elsewhere. He also praised Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, Khabib, and Jon Jones as fighters gifted with something special from a young age.