Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres completed their final face-off ahead of their main event clash at UFC Baku. The two lightweights squared up in a tense staredown at the pre-fight ceremony.
Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres locked eyes one final time Thursday at the pre-fight ceremony for UFC Baku, setting the stage for what promises to be a high-stakes lightweight main event.
Fiziev, known as "Ataman," enters the fight ranked seventh in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Kazakhstani trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and carries a 14-5 record into the bout. Fighting out of a switch stance with a 71-inch reach, he lands 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, reflecting a calculated, technical approach on the feet.
Torres, nicknamed "El Loco," brings a 17-4 record and a reputation for relentless offensive output. The 31-year-old Mexican, who trains at Entram Gym, is one of the more prolific strikers in the division, landing 7.29 significant strikes per minute at a 59 percent accuracy rate. Also fighting out of a switch stance, Torres stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach and adds a takedown threat, averaging 1.72 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Fiziev, ranked seventh at lightweight, has a chance to reassert himself as a top-five contender with a strong performance on home-continent soil.
- Torres's striking volume and accuracy give him a statistical edge on the feet, making the style matchup between two switch-stance fighters particularly compelling.
- A win for either man could reshape the lightweight picture heading into the second half of 2026.
