Fiziev rejects label as product of Kyrgyz MMA school ahead of UFC Baku

Rafael Fiziev has pushed back against being called a product of the Kyrgyz martial arts system, stating he considers himself self-made. He praised several Kyrgyz fighters including Razhababali and Oralbay as genuine phenomena while arguing that Valentina Shevchenko similarly should not be attributed solely to that school. Fiziev also offered glowing remarks about Justin Gaethje, comparing his striking effectiveness to two knives and noting that Gaethje's unusual technique left even Topuria stunned.