Rafael Fiziev has distanced himself from being called a product of Kyrgyz martial arts, stating he considers himself self-made. He credited the nation's fighters with natural athletic gifts rooted in their nomadic heritage, singling out Radjabali as a global phenomenon for his 100-percent finishing rate, while also praising the distinctiveness of fighters like Islam Makhachev, Khabib, Jon Jones, and Justin Gaethje.
Rafael Fiziev pushed back on any notion that Kyrgyz martial arts deserves credit for shaping him as a fighter, declaring himself self-made in comments ahead of UFC Baku. In the same breath, he offered high praise for the fighters coming out of Kyrgyzstan, singling out Radjabali in particular for a finishing rate he described as a global phenomenon.
Fiziev acknowledged what he sees as a natural athletic foundation among Kyrgyz fighters, attributing it to the country's nomadic heritage. He credited that raw physicality for producing distinctive competitors, though he was clear that his own development came through his own effort rather than any regional system or tradition.
The lightweight contender was effusive about Radjabali, pointing to the fighter's 100-percent finishing rate as something remarkable on the world stage. Fiziev also name-dropped several fighters he considers similarly distinctive in their own right, including Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and Justin Gaethje, framing each as a one-of-a-kind presence in the sport.
Makhachev currently holds welterweight gold and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at 34 years old, compiling a 28-1-0 record with an elite takedown rate of 3.2 per 15 minutes and 58-percent striking accuracy out of a southpaw stance. Jones, the 38-year-old standing six-foot-four with an 84-inch reach, carries a 28-1-0 record of his own and lands 4.38 significant strikes per minute at 58-percent accuracy.
Also in the Kyrgyzstan conversation is Valentina Shevchenko, the reigning women's flyweight champion at 38 years old, who holds a 26-4-1 record and averages 2.62 takedowns per 15 minutes for Tiger Muay Thai.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's comments arrive directly ahead of UFC Baku, adding a regional dimension to the card's buildup
- His praise for Radjabali's finishing rate raises the profile of a fighter drawing international attention
- The wider remarks position Kyrgyz and Central Asian MMA as a distinct force, separate from any single fighter's personal story
