Rafael Fiziev rejects Kyrgyz MMA affiliation: 'I raised myself'

Rafael Fiziev has distanced himself from being labeled a product of the Kyrgyz martial arts school, stating he is self-made and does not identify with the country's combat sports establishment. Fiziev acknowledged the rise of fighters from Kyrgyzstan — including Orolbai, Razhabali, and Valentina Shevchenko — but argued they built their careers largely outside the country. He praised Razhabali as a one-of-a-kind phenomenon and compared his uniqueness to that of fighters like Justin Gaethie, Islam Makhachev, Khabib, and Jon Jones.