Rafael Fiziev earned a post-fight bonus after finishing his opponent with a spinning heel kick in the second round, his second such KO finish in the UFC following earlier wins over Riddell and Torres. Fiziev acknowledged his right eye was compromised after the first round before committing to the spectacular finish. Following the victory he called out for a shot at the BMF title.
Rafael Fiziev picked up a performance bonus at a UFC event on June 27, 2026, finishing his opponent with a spinning heel kick in the second round and immediately calling for a shot at the BMF title.
Fiziev, known as "Ataman," is ranked seventh in the UFC lightweight division and carries a professional record of 14 wins and 5 losses. The 33-year-old Kazakh fighter trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and competes out of a switch stance, standing five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach. He is one of the more active strikers in the 155-pound weight class, landing 4.71 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate. The spinning heel kick finish marked his second such knockout in the UFC, a lineage that also includes previous wins over Riddell and Torres. Fiziev himself noted after the fight that his right eye had been compromised entering the second round, making the spectacular finish all the more notable.
Why it matters
- A second spinning heel kick KO in the UFC cements Fiziev as one of the most dangerous and unconventional strikers at lightweight.
- His seventh-place divisional ranking means a BMF title fight could elevate his profile without requiring a direct leap to a championship bout.
- Fiziev's high striking volume and willingness to trade in close exchanges make any future opponent a live underdog on the feet.
