Rafael Fiziev rejects label of Kyrgyz MMA product, calls himself self-made

UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev has distanced himself from the Kyrgyz MMA scene, stating he considers himself a product of his own hard work rather than any national school. He also argued that Valentina Shevchenko should not be classified as a product of Kyrgyz martial arts, citing her travels and the influence of coach Pavel Fedotov. Fiziev praised emerging Kyrgyz fighters Radjabali Shaydullaev and Orolbai, calling Shaydullaev a phenomenon comparable to Justin Gaethje, Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jon Jones.