Rafael Fiziev knocked out Manuel Torres with a spinning heel kick in the second round at UFC Baku, his second UFC finish of that variety. Despite entering round two with vision problems after absorbing a jab that caused double vision, Fiziev committed to the spinning attack and ended the fight cleanly. Post-fight, an emotional Fiziev called out the BMF title and said the win ends a difficult stretch in his career.
Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of 2026, knocking out Manuel Torres with a spinning heel kick in the second round at UFC Baku on June 27, marking the second time in his UFC career he has ended a fight with that exact technique.
Fiziev, known as "Ataman," entered the second round compromised after absorbing a jab from Torres that left him seeing double. Despite the vision problems, the 33-year-old Kazakhstani committed fully to the spinning attack and connected cleanly, dropping Torres and ending the night. Fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai, Fiziev now holds a 14-5 record and sits at number seven in the UFC lightweight rankings. He lands 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, numbers that understate the theatrical quality of his offensive arsenal.
Torres, the 31-year-old Mexican known as "El Loco," came in as one of the more dangerous strikers on the lightweight roster. Fighting out of Entram Gym, he carried a 17-4 record and posted a remarkable 7.29 significant strikes landed per minute at 59 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's most prolific and precise offensive fighters. He also averaged 1.72 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a multi-dimensional threat profile that made Fiziev's finish all the more striking given the circumstances.
After the stoppage, an emotional Fiziev called out the BMF title, framing the win as the close of a difficult chapter in his career.
Why it matters
- Fiziev climbs back into lightweight contention at number seven after what he described as a tough stretch in his career
- A BMF title callout raises his profile beyond a traditional title picture, potentially opening a high-profile matchup on short notice
- The spinning heel kick finish twice over cements Fiziev as one of the division's most unorthodox and dangerous strikers
