Rafael Fiziev is an accomplished mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter from Azerbaijan. He has made a name for himself in the combat sports world with his impressive performance and technical skills. Currently, he competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is ranked #6 in the UFC lightweight rankings as of October 24, 2022. Throughout his career, he has displayed a remarkable combination of striking power, speed, and accuracy, earning him a reputation as a formidable opponent in the octagon. His rise to prominence in the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable, with his skills and fighting style earning him a legion of fans. He has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the Lightweight division and has proven himself to be a legitimate threat to any opponent he faces. With his technical proficiency and remarkable athleticism, Fiziev is poised to continue making waves in the MMA world for years to come. As per Fiziev, his nickname “Ataman” stands for the word, ‘leader,’ which is often given to Cossack leaders. People also tend to call him ‘The Matrix fighter’; however, he likes to stick with Ataman.
Rafael Fiziev is a professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter. He competes in the UFC Lightweight division and is currently ranked #6 as of October 24, 2022. Fiziev is recognized for his capability to knock out his opponents during fights. He made his debut at the April 2019 UFC Fight Night event, where he was TKO'd. He made his pro-MMA debut in July 2015. He first fought in the W.I.N. FC promotion. He fought victoriously on the undercard at UFC Fight Night 162 where Ben Askren was part of the main event.
Born on March 5th, 1993, in Korday, Kazakhstan, Rafael Fiziev holds Azerbaijan nationality and comes from a mixed ethnic background. His father is Azerbaijani, and his mother is Russian. He is Muslim by religion and his zodiac sign is Pisces. He has not disclosed the name of his parents to the media. Only the fact is known that his dad is a police officer by profession. When he was a child, his family relocated to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. As a kid, his father encouraged him and his cousins to spar with boxing gloves, but he gave up after getting beaten up. At the age of 11, Fiziev took up Muay Thai due to bullying after changing schools. He also participated in various other combat sports, such as combat sambo, boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling, while concentrating on Muay Thai. Despite focusing on Muay Thai during his upbringing, Fiziev transitioned to MMA and found grappling to be the most challenging aspect to learn. He also had to adjust his striking and standup techniques. For his education, he went to the Kyrgyzstan Police Academy and he is also a degree holder in law. As of 2023, Fiziev is 30 years old.
After only working as a police officer for a month, Rafael gave up on the profession and pursued MMA, which he had been training for ten years. He started his professional MMA career in 2015 and competed in several promotions, including ROAD FC and Titan FC, before signing with the UFC. Fiziev made his promotional debut in UFC Fight Night 149 against Magomed Mustafaev, which he lost via first-round technical knockout. He then faced Alex White at UFC on ESPN+ 20, winning via unanimous decision. His next fight was against Marc Diakiese at UFC Fight Night 172, which he won via unanimous decision and earned him the Fight of the Night award.
On August 5, 2020, he signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. He was scheduled to fight Renato Moicano on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis, but the fight was postponed to UFC 256 after Moicano tested positive for COVID-19. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. He next faced Bobby Green on August 7, 2021, at UFC 265, and won the fight via unanimous decision, earning him the Fight of the Night award. He faced Brad Riddell at UFC on ESPN 31 on December 4, 2021. He won the fight via knockout in round three.
Fiziev was scheduled to face Rafael dos Anjos on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201, but visa issues forced the bout to be postponed to UFC 272. However, one week before the event, he tested positive for COVID-19, and the bout was rescheduled for the third time for UFC on ESPN 39 on July 9, 2022. Fiziev won the fight via knockout in round five. On 18th March 2023, he faced former UFC interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. In a back-and-forth fight, he lost via majority decision. Despite the loss, he has established himself as a rising star in the UFC's lightweight division, with an impressive career record of 12 wins and two losses.
Regarding his Muay Thai career, Rafael Fiziev competed in the Toyota Marathon Tournament on April 29, 2016, defeating Ruslan Rybakov by decision in the quarterfinals and Phakhow Darbphong 191 by knockout in the semifinals. In the final, Fiziev faced Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy but lost by a decision. He entered the same tournament in 2017, defeating Detroit Sathian Gym in the semifinals before losing to Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy in the final. Despite the loss, Fiziev gained attention on social media for his impressive lean-back defensive technique. He won a fight against former Lumpinee Stadium champion Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong by knockout in the second round at a Muay Xtreme event in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 21, 2017, but was defeated by Leyton Collimore at Phoenix FC 3 in London, England on September 22, 2017, by unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Combat Press
Muay Thai
International Federation of Muaythai Associations
World Muaythai Federation
Rafael Fiziev's relationship status appears to be single at the moment, as he is not dating anyone publicly. He seems to be focused on his fighting career and personal life, as indicated by his social media activity. While he has not shared any information about his dating life, fans of the fighter will be eagerly waiting to hear any updates on his romantic status in the future. Given his rising fame and popularity, it's possible that Fiziev may attract the attention of potential romantic partners in the future. However, for now, he appears content with his single status and focused on his goals in the world of mixed martial arts. We will keep an eye out for any updates regarding Fiziev's relationship status and share them as they become available. His sexual orientation is straight.
Rafael Fiziev is a successful MMA artist. As of 2023, it is estimated that he has a net worth of over $100,000. Most of his earnings come from his career as a professional fighter, with a significant portion coming from his fights. For instance, he earned almost $78,000 when he fought Marc Diakese in Abu Dhabi, including a guaranteed payout of $12,000, a performance bonus of $50,000, and a winning bonus of $12,000. In addition to his fighting career, Fiziev is also listed as a coach, so he may earn additional income from that. His salary per fight is estimated to be around $24,000, which is a significant amount in the martial arts world. He is also a rising star in the sport and is likely to attract even more lucrative opportunities as his career progresses. As he continues to win fights and gain recognition in the MMA community, Fiziev's net worth is expected to increase even further. He is living a modest lifestyle right now.
Rafael Fiziev has dedicated years to training in various fighting centers and gyms, honing his skills in combat sports like Muay Thai, combat sambo, boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. He currently stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) and weighs 155 lb (70 kg). He has a reach of 71 inches (180 cm) and follows a strict gym routine that includes intense deadlifts, squats, and bench presses, which are common exercises for athletes. Additionally, he maintains a strict diet to consume the necessary calories and green leafy vegetables for his training. Apart from his rigorous fitness routine, Fiziev has a distinct appearance that adds to his overall appeal. He has curly brown short hair and a beard of the same color, which accentuates his handsome features. Moreover, he has striking grey eyes that capture the attention of many fans and admirers. He has got a healthy body and an attractive personality.
Born to parents of different ethnic backgrounds, Rafael's father was Azerbaijani, while his mother was Russian. Growing up in a multicultural household, he was exposed to diverse cultures and traditions, which helped shape his worldview and perspective on life. Despite being of mixed ethnicity, he identifies as Azerbaijani and takes pride in his heritage. His multicultural background has also played a role in his fighting style, as he draws inspiration from different martial arts traditions and incorporates them into his technique. This has earned him a reputation as a dynamic and versatile fighter, capable of adapting to different opponents and situations in the octagon. Overall, Fiziev's ethnic background and family heritage have played an important role in shaping his identity as both a fighter and a person.
Rafael Fiziev's interest in combat sports began at a young age, as he took up Muay Thai training when he was just 11 years old. Growing up in Kyrgyzstan, he was exposed to various martial arts disciplines, but it was Muay Thai that captured his imagination and sparked his passion for combat sports. Under the guidance of his coaches, he quickly developed his skills and began competing in amateur Muay Thai fights. He soon became a dominant force in the sport, winning numerous championships and accolades along the way. His success in Muay Thai eventually led him to transition to mixed martial arts, where he has continued to make a name for himself as a rising star in the sport. Today, Fiziev is recognized for his impressive striking skills and knockout power, which he attributes to his years of training in Muay Thai and other combat sports.
Rafael Fiziev's professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut came in 2015, after several years of training and competing in Muay Thai. He won his first MMA fight against fellow newcomer Yerbolat Tungyshbayev in Kazakhstan, showcasing his striking skills and athleticism in a dominant performance. Since then, Fiziev has continued to compete in various MMA promotions around the world, amassing an impressive record and earning a reputation as a rising star in the sport. In 2019, he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's premier MMA organization, and has since competed against some of the top fighters in his division. Fiziev's combination of speed, power, and technique has made him a formidable opponent in the octagon, and he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters to watch in the UFC today.
In addition to his striking skills in Muay Thai and MMA, Rafael Fiziev has also trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He holds a blue belt in the discipline, which emphasizes grappling and ground fighting techniques. Fiziev's BJJ training has not only helped him improve his overall MMA game but has also allowed him to compete in BJJ tournaments and hone his skills in that particular martial art. Fiziev's blue belt in BJJ demonstrates his dedication to developing a well-rounded skill set as a fighter. While his striking skills are often the focus of his fights, his ability to defend against grappling and submission techniques have also proven to be a valuable asset in the octagon. As Fiziev continues to progress in his MMA career, it's likely that his BJJ skills will only continue to improve, making him an even more formidable opponent for future opponents.
At a young age, Rafael Fiziev's father introduced him to boxing, which sparked his interest in combat sports. Growing up in Kyrgyzstan, Fiziev's father recognized his son's natural athleticism and passion for physical activity and saw boxing as a way to nurture those talents. Fiziev quickly took to the sport and began training regularly at a local gym. While boxing was Fiziev's first introduction to combat sports, it was ultimately Muay Thai that captured his imagination and inspired him to pursue a career in fighting. However, Fiziev has always remained grateful for the foundation that boxing provided him and continues to incorporate elements of the sport into his overall training regimen. Today, Fiziev is recognized for his impressive striking skills, which he attributes to his years of training in both boxing and Muay Thai, as well as his natural talent and dedication to the sport.