Rafael Fiziev scored a spinning heel kick knockout victory and earned a post-fight bonus, the second time he has finished an opponent with that technique in the UFC. Fighting through double vision caused by a jab in the first round, Fiziev decided to throw the spinning heel kick in the second round and executed it cleanly. After the win, Fiziev called out for a shot at the BMF title.
Rafael Fiziev added another highlight-reel finish to his resume, stopping his opponent with a spinning heel kick and calling for a shot at the BMF title in the aftermath of the victory on June 27, 2026.
Fiziev, nicknamed "Ataman," entered the fight as the No. 7-ranked lightweight in the UFC. The 33-year-old Kazakhstani, who trains out of Tiger Muay Thai, carries a professional record of 14-5 and is regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the 155-pound division. Standing five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach, he fights out of a switch stance and lands an impressive 4.71 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. The spinning heel kick finish marked the second time he has ended a UFC fight with that precise technique, a testament to both his Muay Thai background and his willingness to attempt high-risk, high-reward strikes in competition.
The road to the finish was not without adversity. Fiziev absorbed a jab in the first round that left him dealing with double vision, yet he pressed forward and chose to unleash the spinning heel kick in round two, connecting cleanly to earn the stoppage and a post-fight performance bonus.
Why it matters
- Fiziev's second spinning heel kick KO in the UFC reinforces his reputation as one of the most technically diverse strikers at lightweight
- A BMF title callout puts him in the conversation for a high-profile matchup, adding intrigue to the lightweight division beyond the traditional championship picture
- At 33 and ranked seventh, Fiziev is entering the window where a marquee booking could define the peak of his UFC run
