Fiziev Scores Spinning Heel Kick KO, Calls for BMF Belt After UFC Baku Win

Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the year at UFC Baku on June 27, stopping Manuel Torres with a spinning heel kick in the second round to claim another highlight-reel victory and a post-fight bonus.

Fiziev, known as "Ataman," entered the fight ranked seventh in the lightweight division and brought his record to 14-5-0 with the stoppage. The 33-year-old Kazakhstani fights out of Tiger Muay Thai and competes as a switch-stance striker, averaging 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. The finish was his second spinning heel kick knockout in the UFC, with Torres joining Riddell as victims of that particular weapon. What made the performance more remarkable was that Fiziev had sustained vision problems during the first round before rallying to land the decisive blow.

Torres, nicknamed "El Loco," came in with a record of 17-4-0 and had been one of the more dangerous strikers in the division. The 31-year-old Mexican, who trains out of Entram Gym, is a switch-stance fighter standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach. He had averaged a remarkable 7.29 significant strikes per minute at 59 percent accuracy across his UFC career, making him a credible threat to anyone in the lightweight ranks.

Following the victory, Fiziev made his ambitions clear by calling out a shot at the BMF title.

Why it matters

• Fiziev's win at No. 7 lightweight strengthens his case for a high-profile matchup and keeps him in the divisional conversation
• A BMF title shot would place him in a marquee fight outside the traditional championship picture
• The style matchup delivered on its promise, pitting two elite switch-stance strikers against each other at high volume