Rafael Fiziev earned another post-fight bonus with a spinning heel kick knockout, his second such finish in the UFC following previous wins over Riddle and Torres. Fighting through double vision caused by a jab in the first round, Fiziev made the calculated decision to throw the spinning heel kick in round two and landed it cleanly. After the victory, Fiziev called out for a shot at the BMF title.
Rafael Fiziev delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the year, knocking out his opponent with a spinning heel kick and immediately setting his sights on the BMF title.
Fiziev, the 33-year-old Kazakhstani lightweight fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai, improved his record to 14-5 with the finish, his second spinning heel kick knockout in the UFC following previous victories over Matt Riddle and Joaquin Torres. Ranked seventh in the lightweight division, the switch-stance striker known as "Ataman" has built a reputation as one of the most entertaining fighters on the roster, averaging 4.71 significant strikes landed per minute at a 52 percent accuracy rate. The finish earned him another post-fight performance bonus.
What made the stoppage particularly remarkable was the adversity Fiziev overcame to get there. A jab in the opening round left him suffering from double vision, yet he managed the situation calmly enough to make a calculated decision to launch the spinning heel kick in round two. It connected cleanly and the fight was over.
Speaking after the victory, Fiziev called out for a shot at the BMF title, adding a new dimension to his career ambitions beyond the standard lightweight title picture.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's seventh-ranked position in a loaded lightweight division makes any win a meaningful step, and a BMF callout could accelerate his path to a high-profile booking.
- Fighting through double vision and still executing a technically demanding finish underscores his elite striking composure.
- The spinning heel kick KO adds to a highlight reel that already includes an identical finish, making Fiziev one of the division's most distinctive finishers.
- A BMF title fight would pit his 4.71-strikes-per-minute output against another aggressive, fan-friendly contender, promising must-see television.
