Rafael Fiziev Injury Update, What Happened to Rafael Fiziev?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Sep 26, 2023
Who is Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev is a highly skilled Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter. He has made a name for himself in the combat sports world by competing in the Lightweight division of the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fiziev holds an impressive ranking of #6 in the UFC lightweight division, showcasing his remarkable talent and dedication to his craft.
Fiziev's career is marked by his exceptional martial arts skills and his ability to compete at the highest level in the UFC. His ranking reflects his prowess in the Lightweight division, where he has faced tough opponents and consistently demonstrated his commitment to becoming one of the top fighters in the sport. With a promising future ahead, Rafael Fiziev continues to be a notable figure in the world of mixed martial arts, captivating fans with his thrilling performances in the octagon.
Name
Rafael Fiziev
Gender
Male
Born
March 5, 1993
Born Place
Korday, Kazakhstan
Age
30
Nickname(s)
Ataman, Rafa
Residence
Phuket, Thailand
Nationality
Azerbaijani
Height
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight
155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb)
Division
Lightweight (2015–present)
Reach
71 in (180 cm) [2]
Style
Muay Thai
Fighting out of
Deerfield Beach, Florida, U.S.
Team
Phuket Top Team (2015–2017), Tiger Muay Thai (2017–present), Kill Cliff FC (2021–present)
Rank
Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bruninho Barbosa
Years active
2015–present
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Rafael Fiziev Injury Update
As of the latest update, Rafael Fiziev suffered a significant leg injury during his bout against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 79. The injury occurred in the second round when a wayward kick led to the unfortunate incident. While the full extent of his injury remains undetermined, it is evident that Fiziev's health may be in jeopardy due to the nature of the sport he participates in.
After the match, Fiziev posted a video on his Instagram account from a local Las Vegas hospital. In the video, he can be seen awaiting treatment alongside other fighters, including Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Bryce Mitchell, who also endured extensive damage in their respective bouts at UFC Vegas 79. Fiziev seemed to acknowledge the challenges of his chosen profession, referring to it as "what a business" and expressing gratitude with the phrase "Alhamdulillah."
The uncertainty surrounding the extent of his injury, it is likely that Fiziev will need an extended period of time to recover. His return to the UFC octagon may not occur until sometime in 2024. This injury comes as a setback for Fiziev, as he had previously enjoyed a six-fight win streak that had propelled him to the brink of UFC title contention. Fans and fellow fighters will be eagerly awaiting further updates on Rafael Fiziev's condition and recovery progress, hoping for a swift and complete recuperation for the talented lightweight contender.
Rafael Fiziev Early Life and Family
Rafael Fiziev's early life was marked by a diverse cultural background and a journey that eventually led him to a successful career in mixed martial arts. He was born in Korday, Kazakhstan, to an Azerbaijani father and a Russian mother. However, his family relocated to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when he was still a child.
During his childhood, Fiziev's initial encounter with combat sports came when his father introduced him and his cousins to boxing, encouraging them to spar. Despite initially finding himself on the losing end against his cousins, Fiziev did not develop a strong affinity for fighting and eventually gave it up.
It wasn't until he changed schools during his teenage years that his path took a different turn. At the age of 11, Fiziev decided to take up Muay Thai as a response to being bullied, marking the beginning of his journey into combat sports.
As he pursued Muay Thai, Fiziev didn't limit himself to just one discipline. He also engaged in various other combat sports, including combat sambo, boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling. This broad range of experiences in different martial arts would later contribute to his well-rounded skill set in mixed martial arts (MMA).
When he transitioned from Thai boxing to MMA, Fiziev faced challenges, with the toughest aspect being the need to learn grappling techniques. Additionally, he had to adapt his striking and stand-up game for the MMA arena, demonstrating his dedication to becoming a versatile and skilled fighter in the world of mixed martial arts.
Rafael Fiziev Career
Rafael Fiziev's career has been a journey marked by his impressive performances in both Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA). His career began in Muay Thai, where he participated in the Toyota Marathon Tournament in April 2016. In this tournament, he showcased his skills by defeating Ruslan Rybakov in the quarter-finals and knocking out Phakhow Darbphong in the semi-finals. Although he faced a decision loss to Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy in the final, Fiziev's lean-back defensive technique gained him recognition on social media.
Fiziev continued to make waves in Muay Thai, notably winning a fight by knockout against former Lumpinee Stadium champion Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong in Bangkok, Thailand, in April 2017. He also ventured into the world of professional MMA in 2015, initially competing in Asian regional promotions like ROAD FC and Titan FC before making his way to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In the UFC, Fiziev made his promotional debut in April 2019, facing Magomed Mustafaev. Although he faced a first-round technical knockout loss in his debut, he bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Alex White in October 2019. Fiziev's impressive performances continued, including a Fight of the Night-winning unanimous decision victory against Marc Diakiese in July 2020.
Fiziev's dedication to the sport was evident when he signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC in August 2020. He continued to shine in the octagon, earning a Performance of the Night award with a first-round TKO victory over Renato Moicano in December 2020 and another Fight of the Night award with a unanimous decision win over Bobby Green in August 2021.
His career reached new heights with a knockout win over Brad Riddell in December 2021, which earned him a Performance of the Night award. Fiziev faced several challenges, including bout postponements due to visa issues and COVID-19, but he persevered and secured a knockout victory over Renato Moicano in July 2022. One of the highlights of his career came when he faced former UFC interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje in March 2023, earning the Fight of the Night bonus despite a majority decision loss.
Unfortunately, Fiziev faced a setback when he fought Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023, resulting in a technical knockout due to a knee injury in the second round. Nevertheless, Rafael Fiziev's career has been characterized by resilience, versatility, and a string of impressive performances in both Muay Thai and MMA, making him a notable figure in the combat sports world.
Rafael Fiziev Wife
While details about Rafael Fiziev's personal life remain somewhat limited, there are reports suggesting that the 30-year-old fighter is married to a woman named Kamilla. It is said that they met while Fiziev was residing in Kyrgyzstan, marking the beginning of their relationship. Together, Rafael and Kamilla Fiziev are believed to have at least one child, indicating a family life beyond his professional fighting career.
The couple is said to have made their home in Thailand, where Rafael Fiziev dedicates himself to his training. Thailand is renowned for its Muay Thai culture and is a popular destination for fighters looking to hone their skills. While Rafael Fiziev's accomplishments in the martial arts world are well-documented, he keeps his personal life relatively private, allowing him to focus on his career and family in the serene surroundings of Thailand.
Rafael Fiziev Religion
Rafael Fiziev's religious affiliation is that of a devout Shia Muslim. His faith is an integral part of his identity and beliefs. In 2021, Fiziev made a significant decision regarding his representation in UFC bouts due to his religious convictions. He chose to no longer represent his home country of Kyrgyzstan in UFC matches, citing concerns about religious discrimination against Shia Muslims in his homeland.
As a result, Fiziev made Phuket, Thailand, his primary residence. In the same year, he became a citizen of Azerbaijan and began representing the country in his UFC fights. Notably, he is the first Azerbaijani representative to compete in the UFC, a decision that reflects his commitment to his faith and his desire to compete on behalf of a nation that aligns with his religious beliefs.
Rafael Fiziev's journey in both his fighting career and his commitment to his faith highlights the personal and professional decisions he has made to align with his religious convictions and values.
Rafael Fiziev Age
As of 2023, Rafael Fiziev is 30 years old. His journey from a childhood where he initially gave up on fighting due to bullying to becoming a successful professional mixed martial artist (MMA) in the UFC is a testament to his determination and resilience.
Fiziev's commitment to honing his skills in various martial arts disciplines, including Muay Thai and MMA, showcases his dedication to his craft. His achievements in the octagon, coupled with his personal and professional choices, make Rafael Fiziev an inspiring figure for aspiring fighters and individuals seeking to overcome challenges in their own lives.
Rafael Fiziev Height
Rafael Fiziev stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches, which is approximately equivalent to 1.72 meters in the metric system. In addition to his height, Fiziev competes in the Lightweight division of mixed martial arts, where the weight limit is set at 155 pounds (70.31 kilograms).
His height and weight are key factors in determining his suitability and competitiveness within this weight class, where fighters need to strike a balance between size, strength, and agility to excel in their matches. Fiziev's physical attributes, combined with his martial arts skills, contribute to his effectiveness as a fighter in the UFC's Lightweight division.
Rafael Fiziev Net Worth
Rafael Fiziev's net worth is estimated at around $100,000-$1 million. His primary source of income is his professional career as a mixed martial artist (MMA) competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). MMA fighters, particularly those in the UFC, earn income from various sources. Fiziev earns a significant portion of his income from his fight purses. This includes both his base salary for participating in a fight and additional bonuses that he may receive based on factors like performance, knockout, or submission of the night.
In the UFC, fighters often have win bonuses included in their contracts. This means that in addition to their base pay, they receive a bonus for winning a fight, providing extra motivation to perform well. Exceptional performances can earn fighters additional performance bonuses. These bonuses are typically awarded for standout performances, such as a particularly impressive knockout or submission.
What Happened to Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 79 due to a leg injury from a wayward kick. The exact severity of his injury is uncertain. Fiziev, a 30-year-old lightweight contender from Kazakhstan, posted a video from a Las Vegas hospital alongside other injured fighters, expressing the challenges of the sport.
Depending on the injury's extent, Fiziev's UFC return may not happen until 2024, following two consecutive losses after a six-fight win streak that had him on the cusp of UFC title contention.
Rafael Fiziev Injury Update - FAQs
The uncertainty surrounding the extent of his injury, it is likely that Fiziev will need an extended period of time to recover. His return to the UFC octagon may not occur until sometime in 2024.
Rafael Fiziev suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Vegas 79 due to a leg injury from a wayward kick. The exact severity of his injury is uncertain.
Rafael Fiziev has a strong background in Muay Thai, which he began practicing at the age of 11 due to bullying. He also has experience in other combat sports, including combat sambo, boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling.
In 2021, Fiziev decided not to represent his home country of Kyrgyzstan in UFC bouts due to religious discrimination against Shia Muslims. He became a citizen of Azerbaijan and now competes as the first Azerbaijani representative in the UFC.
Fiziev has received several accolades in the UFC, including Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards for his impressive performances. These awards highlight his exciting fighting style and skill in the octagon.
Rafael Fiziev competes in the Lightweight division of the UFC, where the weight limit is set at 155 pounds (70.31 kilograms).