Rafael Fiziev Rejects Kyrgyz MMA Pedigree Label, Praises Razhabali and Gaethje

Rafael Fiziev has pushed back on being called a product of the Kyrgyz combat sports school, stating he considers himself self-made and noting that fighters such as Valentina Shevchenko and Mukhammadali Murzotov developed their skills largely outside Kyrgyzstan. Fiziev praised Razhabali as a once-in-a-generation phenomenon for his 100-percent finish rate, placing him alongside the likes of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jon Jones as fighters with a rare natural gift. He also singled out Justin Gaethje as a special fighter whose unconventional striking style is uniquely effective.