Rafael Fiziev secured a post-fight bonus with a spinning heel kick knockout, his second such finish in the UFC following a previous KO over Riddell. After the victory, Fiziev called for a shot at the BMF title. He fought through vision problems caused by a jab in the first round before delivering the decisive strike in the second.
Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most spectacular finishes of the year, knocking out his opponent with a spinning heel kick to earn a post-fight bonus and immediately calling for a shot at the BMF title.
Fiziev, nicknamed "Ataman," improved to 14-5 in the lightweight division, where he currently sits ranked seventh in the UFC. The 33-year-old from Kazakhstan trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and brings elite striking credentials to every fight. He lands an impressive 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, a combination that reflects both his output and his precision. The finish was his second spinning heel kick knockout in the UFC, the previous coming against Riddell, cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous and creative strikers in the 155-pound division.
The performance was all the more remarkable given the adversity Fiziev endured. A jab in the first round caused vision problems that threatened to derail his night. He pushed through, regrouped, and found his moment in the second round, landing the spinning heel kick cleanly enough to put the fight away and walk away with a bonus check.
After the stoppage, Fiziev made clear he had bigger ambitions, calling for a crack at the BMF title.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's back-to-back spinning heel kick finishes strengthen his case as one of the most dangerous strikers in the lightweight division
- His call-out puts him in the conversation for a high-profile BMF title matchup, which could elevate his profile beyond a standard rankings fight
- At ranked seventh in the division, a marquee fight of that nature could push him toward contender status whether or not a formal title shot materializes
