Rafael Fiziev leads CIS fighters with eight UFC post-fight bonuses

Rafael Fiziev holds the record for the most UFC post-fight bonuses earned by a fighter from a CIS country, having collected eight across his career — edging out a pair of elite contenders who are not far behind.

Khamzat Chimaev and Ilia Topuria each sit on seven bonuses, placing them second on the CIS list. Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan are tied a step further back with six apiece.

Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," competes at middleweight and is ranked first in that division at 32 years old. The six-foot-two fighter representing the United Arab Emirates carries a 15-1-0 record and generates enormous pressure through both striking and grappling, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 60 percent striking accuracy — figures that explain his frequent appearances on the bonus shortlist.

Topuria, known as "El Matador," brings a 17-1-0 record to the lightweight division, where he is ranked second and sits first in the pound-for-pound rankings at just 29 years of age. The Spain-based Georgian generates 4.81 significant strikes per minute, one of the higher output rates in the sport, and his finishing ability has made him a consistent bonus threat throughout his UFC run.

Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion and a fellow pound-for-pound standout, holds a 28-1-0 record at 34. The Russian southpaw averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and a submission attempt rate of 1.1 per 15 minutes, mixing dominant grappling with 58 percent striking accuracy.

Why it matters

• Fiziev's eight bonuses represent the highest CIS total in UFC history, a notable individual achievement within a region that has produced some of the sport's most decorated active fighters.
• With Chimaev and Topuria each one bonus away from matching him, the gap at the top of this list could close quickly.
• Makhachev and Tsarukyan's six bonuses apiece underscore how deep the CIS talent pool runs across multiple weight classes.