Rafael Fiziev rejects label as product of Kyrgyz martial arts, praises Razhababli as a phenomenon

Rafael Fiziev has stated that he considers himself self-made and declines to be identified as a product of the Kyrgyz combat sports school. He attributed the country's current crop of standout fighters to their natural physical attributes and cultural affinity for sport rather than any specific school or system. Fiziev spoke highly of Razhababli, calling him a global phenomenon alongside the likes of Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, Khabib, and Jon Jones as fighters who possess a rare, innate quality.