What kind of fighter is Rafael Fiziev?

Last Modified Mar 6, 2025 02:14 GMT
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev v Gamrot
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev v Gamrot

The 32-year-old Azerbaijani fighter has had nine fights inside the octagon and managed to win six of them. Since making his professional debut in 2015, Rafael Fiziev’s mixed martial arts record is now 12 wins and 3 losses, as of March 2025. Fiziev made his promotional debut in 2019, and over the years, he has fought against the top names in the division, like Justin Gaethje, Rafael dos Anjos, Bobby Green, Renato Moicano, Alex White, etc.

Additionally, out of his nine fights in UFC, Fiziev has received three ‘Performance of the Night’ and three ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses for his showcase.

Rafael Fiziev’s fighting style

Rafael Fiziev is a Muay Thai fighter.

Rafael Fiziev started training in Muay Thai when he was eleven years old due to bullies. Even though he had plans of training in boxing, even before that, he gave up quickly. But when it came to Muay Thai, the Azerbaijani did not feel like giving up and continued with it. Fiziev won multiple national and international IFMA Muay Thai tournaments. Hence, his Muay Thai history is of strong base even before transitioning into mixed martial arts at a later stage. While transitioning, Fiziev mentioned that grappling was the most challenging part, and his striking also needed some adjustments for the sport.

Is Rafael Fiziev a good wrestler?

Even though Rafael Fiziev is a Muay Thai-oriented fighter, Rafael Fiziev can wrestle. According to his wrestling coach, Frank Hickman, Fiziev can handle opponents who wrestle both defensively and offensively. Hickman said that he has seen ‘Ataman’ not just defend a lot of takedowns but also take down his opponents, too.

One of Rafael Fiziev’s training partners at Tiger Muay Thai, Che, said that Fiziev has an athletic body and heavy hips that greatly help him while grappling on the ground. Che also mentioned how Fiziev could swing his hips to his own advantage and use it against the one sparring with him.

Rafael Fiziev MMA record

Rafael Fiziev has a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 3 losses.

Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocation
Loss12-3Mateusz GamrotTKOUFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. GamrotSeptember 23, 202322:03Las Vegas, United States
Loss12–2Justin GaethjeDecision (majority)UFC 286March 18, 202335:00London, England
Win12–1Rafael dos AnjosKO (punches)UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. FizievJuly 9, 202250:18Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win11–1Brad RiddellKO (spinning wheel kick)UFC on ESPN: Font vs. AldoDecember 4, 202132:20Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–1Bobby GreenDecision (unanimous)UFC 265August 7, 202135:00Houston, Texas, United States
Win9–1Renato MoicanoKO (punches)UFC 256December 12, 202014:05Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win8–1Marc DiakieseDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2July 18, 202035:00Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win7–1Alex WhiteDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. AskrenOctober 26, 201935:00Kallang, Singapore
Loss6–1Magomed MustafaevTKO (spinning back kick and punches)UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. OleinikApril 20, 201911:26Saint Petersburg, Russia
Win6–0Nurzhan TutaevKO (body kick)Titan FC 51December 21, 201820:51Almaty, Kazakhstan
Win5–0Nandin-Erdene MunguntsoojKO (head kick and punches)Road FC 45December 23, 201710:58Seoul, South Korea
Win4–0Kim Seung-yeonTKO (knees and punches)Road FC 39June 10, 201714:23Seoul, South Korea
Win3–0Suraj BahadurTKO (punches)Primal FC: Dark Moon RisingMarch 24, 201712:30Phuket, Thailand
Win2–0Gunduz NabievSubmission (rear naked choke)Boroda FCOctober 10, 201613:40Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Win1–0Sam BastinKO (flying knee)W.I.N FCJuly 18, 20151N/AShenzhen, China

*Last updated on March 6, 2025.

FAQs on Rafael Fizeiv's fighting style

Rafael Fiziev is a Muay Thai fighter.

Even though Rafael Fiziev is a Muay Thai-oriented fighter, Rafael Fiziev can wrestle.

Rafael Fiziev has a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 3 losses. 


Rafael Fiziev trains at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand. 


Rafael Fiziev’s nickname is ‘Ataman’. 


Related Stories

"At least we won’t fall asleep" - Fans give mixed reactions as UFC lightweight criticizes Justin Gaethje for accepting the "easier choice" for UFC 313 "At least we won’t fall asleep" - Fans give mixed reactions as UFC lightweight criticizes Justin Gaethje for accepting the "easier choice" for UFC 313
"At least we won’t fall asleep" - Fans give mixed reactions as UFC lightweight criticizes Justin Gaethje for accepting the "easier choice" for UFC 313
WATCH: Thai slugger Kongthoranee Sor Sommai's collection of mind-bending KOs in ONE Championship WATCH: Thai slugger Kongthoranee Sor Sommai's collection of mind-bending KOs in ONE Championship
WATCH: Thai slugger Kongthoranee Sor Sommai's collection of mind-bending KOs in ONE Championship
1d
WATCH: Relive Swedish knockout monster Zebaztian Kadestam's world title triumph ahead of ONE Fight Night 31 WATCH: Relive Swedish knockout monster Zebaztian Kadestam's world title triumph ahead of ONE Fight Night 31
WATCH: Relive Swedish knockout monster Zebaztian Kadestam's world title triumph ahead of ONE Fight Night 31
1d
"Swedish power!" - Fans in pure awe of former champ Zebaztian Kadestam's brutish power in KO highlights reel "Swedish power!" - Fans in pure awe of former champ Zebaztian Kadestam's brutish power in KO highlights reel
"Swedish power!" - Fans in pure awe of former champ Zebaztian Kadestam's brutish power in KO highlights reel
1d
Ian Garry issues fiery warning after Carlos Prates win at UFC Kansas City, vows to bring world title back to Dublin and Brazil Ian Garry issues fiery warning after Carlos Prates win at UFC Kansas City, vows to bring world title back to Dublin and Brazil
Ian Garry issues fiery warning after Carlos Prates win at UFC Kansas City, vows to bring world title back to Dublin and Brazil
1d
"I feel more challenged" - Denice Zamboanga opens up about her fearless approach to combat sports "I feel more challenged" - Denice Zamboanga opens up about her fearless approach to combat sports
"I feel more challenged" - Denice Zamboanga opens up about her fearless approach to combat sports
1d
Anthony Smith shouts out Chael Sonnen for meaningful advice during emotional retirement at UFC Kansas City Anthony Smith shouts out Chael Sonnen for meaningful advice during emotional retirement at UFC Kansas City
Anthony Smith shouts out Chael Sonnen for meaningful advice during emotional retirement at UFC Kansas City
"The match is gonna be over pretty quick" - Tye Ruotolo eyes swift victory in world title defense vs Dante Leon "The match is gonna be over pretty quick" - Tye Ruotolo eyes swift victory in world title defense vs Dante Leon
"The match is gonna be over pretty quick" - Tye Ruotolo eyes swift victory in world title defense vs Dante Leon
1d
"She FaceTimed me" - Dana White reveals role in helping free ballerina Ksenia Karelina through Donald Trump- Vladimir Putin talks "She FaceTimed me" - Dana White reveals role in helping free ballerina Ksenia Karelina through Donald Trump- Vladimir Putin talks
"She FaceTimed me" - Dana White reveals role in helping free ballerina Ksenia Karelina through Donald Trump- Vladimir Putin talks
1d
Joe Rogan opens up about watching 'The Monkey' film while lauding Stephen King and the horror movie genre Joe Rogan opens up about watching 'The Monkey' film while lauding Stephen King and the horror movie genre
Joe Rogan opens up about watching 'The Monkey' film while lauding Stephen King and the horror movie genre
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications