Rafael Fiziev earned a performance bonus at UFC Baku after finishing his opponent with a spinning heel kick in the second round, his second such finish in the UFC following previous knockouts of Riddell and Torres. Fiziev revealed he fought through double vision after taking a jab late in round one, yet chose to throw the spinning kick in round two. Following the win, Fiziev declared his next goal is the BMF title.
Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most spectacular finishes of the year at UFC Baku, stopping his opponent with a spinning heel kick in the second round to claim a performance bonus at the June 27 event.
Fiziev, known by the nickname "Ataman," holds a 14-5 record and is ranked seventh in the lightweight division. The 33-year-old Kazakhstani trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and fights out of a switch stance, which gives him the angles to land unorthodox weapons like the spinning heel kick. His striking output is among the most aggressive in the division, with 4.71 significant strikes landed per minute at 52 percent accuracy. The finish was his second spinning heel kick knockout in the UFC, following previous stoppage victories over Riddell and Torres.
What makes the finish even more remarkable is the circumstance behind it. Fiziev revealed after the fight that he was dealing with double vision following a jab he absorbed late in round one, yet he still chose to throw the spinning kick in round two and executed it cleanly enough to end the bout.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's finish adds another highlight-reel knockout to his resume and strengthens his case as one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division
- Calling out the BMF title puts him in a different conversation outside the traditional contender rankings at 155 pounds
- His ranking of seventh at lightweight means a BMF push could be a creative route around a crowded contender picture above him
After the victory, Fiziev stated his next target is the BMF title, signaling he is looking for a high-profile matchup that fits his finishing style rather than waiting in the conventional title queue.
