Rafael Fiziev Leads Post-Fight Bonus Count Among CIS-Born UFC Fighters

Rafael Fiziev stands alone atop the post-fight bonus leaderboard among UFC fighters born in CIS nations, having earned eight performance awards across his career — more than any other competitor from that region.

Khamzat Chimaev and Ilia Topuria are tied directly behind Fiziev with seven bonuses apiece. Chimaev, the 32-year-old middleweight contender ranked first in his division and tenth pound-for-pound, competes out of the UAE and trains at Allstars Training Center. The fighter known as Borz carries a 15-1-0 record and is one of the most statistically dominant grapplers in the promotion, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. Topuria, nicknamed El Matador, holds a 17-1-0 record and is ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 29-year-old representing Spain lands an exceptional 4.81 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the most active offensive fighters in the sport.

Denis Siver also sits at seven bonuses, while Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan each have six. Makhachev, the 34-year-old Russian southpaw, currently holds a championship and carries a 28-1-0 record. Fighting out of Eagles MMA, he averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Aleksei Oleinik rounds out the group with six bonuses as well.

Why it matters

• Fiziev's lead of eight bonuses highlights the finishing ability and fight-of-the-night performances that CIS-region fighters consistently deliver
• Chimaev and Topuria, both active title contenders, could close the gap quickly given their current trajectory and aggressive styles
• The list spans multiple weight classes and generations, illustrating the breadth of CIS talent in the UFC roster