Rafael Fiziev secured a performance bonus with a spinning heel kick knockout, his second such finish in the UFC following previous stoppages of Ridell and Torres. Despite suffering vision problems from a jab late in the first round, Fiziev adjusted his strategy and landed the decisive blow in the second. After the win, an emotional Fiziev called out for the BMF title.
Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most memorable finishes of his career, knocking out his opponent with a spinning heel kick at UFC's June 27 event to earn a performance bonus and immediately call for the BMF title.
Fiziev, the Kazakhstani lightweight ranked seventh in the division, has now landed the rare spinning heel kick finish twice inside the UFC octagon, with previous stoppages of Ridell and Torres already on his resume. The 33-year-old out of Tiger Muay Thai stands five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach and carries a professional record of 14-5. Fighting out of a switch stance, he averages 4.71 significant strikes per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate, numbers that reflect both his volume and the technical precision underpinning his Muay Thai-based style.
The finish did not come without adversity. A jab late in the first round left Fiziev dealing with vision problems, forcing him to recalibrate his approach between rounds. He responded by making the necessary adjustments and delivered the decisive spinning heel kick in the second round, capping a performance that clearly stirred something deep. An emotional Fiziev called out for the BMF belt after the stoppage.
Why it matters
- Fiziev now holds two spinning heel kick knockouts in the UFC, an exceptionally rare feat that underscores his unorthodox danger at lightweight
- At rank seven in the division, a high-profile BMF title callout places him firmly in conversations about marquee lightweight matchups
- His ability to adapt mid-fight after sustaining early damage adds another dimension to his standing as a top-ten threat
