Rafael Fiziev – Page 4 – Syndication Server

UFC 286 video: Justin Gaethje, Rafael Fiziev faceoff ahead of lightweight showdown

Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev got face to face one last time at Friday’s UFC 286 ceremonial weigh-ins in London.

LONDON – [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] got face to face one last time at Friday’s UFC 286 ceremonial weigh-ins.

Former interim lightweight champion Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) takes on Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in the co-main event Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The bout is one fans and analysts are expecting to compete for Fight of the Night, given Gaethje has 10 post-fight bonuses in 10 UFC fights, and Fiziev has five in seven UFC bouts.

Watch the video below to see the final faceoff between Gaethje and Fiziev.

Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev get one final look at each other before their co-main event at #UFC286.

Prediction? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FAWZ5FjJtl

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) March 17, 2023

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

[pickup_prop id=”31397″]

UFC 286 predictions: Who’s picking Leon Edwards to upset Kamaru Usman again?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC 286 main card in London, featuring a Leon Edwards-Kamaru Usman welterweight title rematch.

	Edwards vs. Usman	Fiziev vs. Gaethje	Barberena vs. Nelson	Maia vs. O’Neill	Dolidze vs. Vettori
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 30-19	Usman (59%)	Fiziev (52%)	Nelson (62%)	O’Neill (73%)	Vettori (59%)
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 33-16	Usman	Gaethje	Barberena	O’Neill	Dolidze
Nolan King @mma_kings 30-19/em>	Usman	Fiziev	Nelson	Maia	Vettori
Matt Erickson @MattE 30-19	Usman	Gaethje	Nelson	O’Neill	Dolidze
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 30-19	Usman	Fiziev	Nelson	O’Neill	Dolidze
Simon Samano @SJSamano 29-20	Edwards	Gaethje	Nelson	O’Neill	Dolidze
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 29-20 2018, 2022 Champion	Usman	Fiziev	Barberena	O’Neill	Dolidze
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 28-21	Usman	Fiziev	Barberena	O’Neill	Vettori
Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 27-22 2014 Champion	Usman	Fiziev	Nelson	O’Neill	Vettori
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 27-22	Usman	Gaethje	Nelson	O’Neill	Vettori
Brian Garcia @thegoze 26-23 2017 Champion	Usman	Gaethje	Barberena	O’Neill	Vettori
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 26-23	Edwards	Gaethje	Nelson	O’Neill	Vettori

The UFC is back in London for the third time in about a year this week with a welterweight trilogy rematch atop the card.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) takes on former champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) in a trilogy title rematch. Usman had little issue with Edwards for nearly 25 minutes when they fought this past August, but Edwards pulled off a stunning late head-kick knockout to take the title.

Usman is a -250 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Edwards is +200. It’s not a shutout, though it is a blowout. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have Usman ahead at 9-2.

[lawrence-related id=2625477,2625475]

In the co-feature, [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) takes on former interim lightweight champ [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC). Fiziev is more than a 2-1 favorite, but it’s Gaethje who has the slimmest possible picks lead at 6-5.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag] (18-9 MMA, 9-7 UFC) meets [autotag]Gunnar Nelson[/autotag] (18-5-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in a welterweight bout. Nelson is the biggest favorite on the main card at -360, but he has just a 7-4 lead in the picks from our staff members.

[autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] (20-9-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout. O’Neill is a -170 favorite – the smallest favorite on the main card. Yet she is our closest thing to a unanimous pick at 10-1.

And to open the main card, former middleweight title challenger [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] (18-5-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) fights [autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). Vettori nearly is a 3-1 favorite at the betting window, but he only has a 6-5 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Usman (59 percent), Fiziev (52 percent), Nelson (62 percent), O’Neill (73 percent) and Vettori (59 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

UFC 286 ‘Embedded,’ No. 5: Kamaru Usman senses ‘false confidence’ from Leon Edwards

You could feel the heat between Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards as they stared each other down in the latest UFC 286 “Embedded” episode.

The UFC is back with its fourth pay-per-view of the year and second of March, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] (20-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) and [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 15-1 UFC) run it back for a trilogy fight after Edwards shockingly knocked out Usman last August to claim the title. And in the co-main event, lightweight contenders [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) square off in a pivotal bout at 155 pounds.

The fifth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Gunnar Nelson gets a break from the fighter hotel. Casey O’Neill goes all out in the gym. Bryan Barberena sightsees. At the presser, things heat up for Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman’s title rematch; Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev promise a show.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

[pickup_prop id=”27039″]

UFC 286 video: Rafael Fiziev, Justin Gaethje make weight for co-main event

The UFC 286 co-main event is set in London with a pair of lightweights likely to swing for the fences.

LONDON – The UFC 286 co-main event is set with a pair of lightweights likely to swing for the fences.

At Friday’s UFC 286 official weigh-ins, former interim lightweight champion [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) made weight for the co-feature. Both fighters came in at 156 pounds.

Fiziev has five post-fight bonus awards in seven UFC fights. Gaethje has 10 in 10 fights.

Watch the video above to see Gaethje and Fiziev weigh in for UFC 286.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

Frank Hickman: If Justin Gaethje wants to wrestle, Rafael Fiziev is ‘more than capable of handling that’

“If Justin wants to wrestle, Rafael is more than capable of handling that situation – defensively and offensively.”

LONDON – Coach Frank Hickman is not worried if [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]’s fight with [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] hits the mat.

Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 286 co-headliner at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Both men didn’t rule out the possibility of wrestling, and Hickman says Fiziev will be ready to go to the ground with Gaethje.

“As a wrestling coach, you always prepare for everything,” Hickman told MMA Junkie. “Wrestler or non-wrestler, you want to prepare for the worst. If Justin wants to wrestle, Rafael is more than capable of handling that situation – defensively and offensively. Rafael is a complete MMA fighter.

“He’s not just good at the striking, he’s good at that because that’s what you’ve seen, but I’ve also seen him stop a lot of takedowns and get takedowns of his own. So with that, there is always a threat of it. But an MMA fight, you have to be ready for all angles.”

[lawrence-related id=2625211,2624996,2624775]

Fiziev and Gaethje are two of the most exciting strikers in the lightweight division. But Hickman thinks Fiziev’s IQ is what will make the difference and help him prevail in the fight.

“I think Rafael can dictate where this fight goes,” Hickman said. “Obviously on his feet is where he’s most comfortable. So, Rafael just needs to go in there, get his distance, and get comfortable right away. Then once that happens and his IQ takes over, it could be a long night for Justin.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

[pickup_prop id=”31397″]

UFC 286 video: Rafael Fiziev, Justin Gaethje get face to face ahead of lightweight co-main event

Check out the UFC 286 press conference faceoff between Rafael Fiziev and former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje in London.

LONDON – The UFC 286 pre-fight news conference took place Thursday, and the co-main event lightweights were on hand to meet the media.

Afterward, they had a staredown ahead of their highly anticipated matchup. [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) takes on former interim lightweight champion [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the UFC 286 co-feature in London. Fiziev is looking to stake a claim for a title shot. Gaethje has 10 UFC post-fight bonuses in 10 fights with the promotion.

Check out their faceoff in the video above.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

UFC 286 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Kamaru Usman gives a Miranda warning to Leon Edwards

In the latest episode of “Embedded” ahead of UFC 286 in London, the fighters at the top of the card handle all manner of media obligations.

The UFC is back with its fourth pay-per-view of the year and second of March, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Kamaru Usman and Justin Gaethje keep their energy up in the gym. Rafael Fiziev and champ Leon Edwards open up at media day.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

[pickup_prop id=”27039″]

Rafael Fiziev wants statement win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 286: ‘I go in to take his heart’

Rafael Fiziev is hungry to change the trajectory of his career against former interim champ Justin Gaethje at UFC 286.

LONDON – [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] intends to show [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] a “real highlight” with a spectacular performance at UFC 286.

Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) brings a six-fight winning streak in the lightweight division to Saturday’s co-main event with Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), which takes place at The O2 in London with a main card that airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+. It’s a big opportunity against a former interim UFC champion, and Fiziev plans to display “more skills” inside the octagon.

“I’m waiting for the best Gaethje in front of me,” Fiziev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I’m waiting. I want him in his best shape and I want a hard fight with him. I want blood.”

[lawrence-related id=2624909,2624680,2620611]

Gaethje has built a reputation as one of the most exciting and violent fighters on the UFC roster during his tenure. He’s won 10 fight-night bonuses in as many fights with the promotion, but is coming off one of his more lopsided losses in a title fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 in May 2022.

After the loss, Gaethje underwent surgery for a broken nose. That raises questions about his lasting ability to take damage, which Fiziev intends to put to the test.

“I go in and do my job,” Fiziev said. “Touch him with first punch, second – it doesn’t matter. I go in to take his heart.”

If Fiziev manages to emerge victorious in the most high-profile bout of his career, he would be on the short list for a title shot at 155 pounds. Reigning champ Islam Makhachev doesn’t currently have a fight, but the UFC 288 matchup between Oliveira and Beneil Dariush has the makings of a title eliminator.

Fiziev will accept the reality if he has to defer the title shot to the Oliveira vs. Dariush, but he certainly won’t say no if the shot comes his way instead.

“If I beat him, I deserve that title shot,” Fiziev said. “But UFC also make it how they want. I can say if they give title shot for winner of Oliveira and Dariush, OK. Dariush – I think he deserves it more than everyone in this division. If they give it to me, also I’m happy.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

UFC 286 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: A ‘Wakanda Forever’ reunion for Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman gets a surprise visit from “Black Panther” co-star Michaela Coel in the latest episode of UFC 286 “Embedded.”

The UFC is back with its fourth pay-per-view of the year and second of March, which means the popular “Embedded” fight-week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 286 takes place Saturday at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Champ Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman stay focused on their title rematch. Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev check in and cross paths. Bryan Barberena settles in; Roman Dolidze trains hard. UFC 286 is on Saturday, March 18.

Watch more:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.

[pickup_prop id=”27039″]

Justin Gaethje: Rafael Fiziev’s leg kicks are ‘faster, but not quite as heavy’

In a battle between top strikers, Justin Gaethje plans on creating more damage than Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in London.

LONDON – In a battle between top strikers, [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] plans on creating more damage than [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag].

Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) meets Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 286 co-main event at The O2 in London. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Both men have proven fight-ending abilities on the feet, but Gaethje expects his strikes to be more impactful.

“They’re faster, but not quite as heavy,” Gaethje said on Fiziev’s leg kicks at Wednesday’s UFC 286 media day. “We’ll see how it works.

“(Fiziev is an) elite (striker). There’s no way around it. He’s got some crazy skills, especially to the untrained eye. This guy is the best of the best. I think I can take advantage of certain situations. I can create more damage in certain situations. I think I can control distance better, and I’m going to have to be perfect on Saturday.”

[lawrence-related id=2624775,2624909,2624680]

Gaethje is a former NCAA Division-I wrestler, but hasn’t resorted to his grappling in too many of his UFC fights. Although he’s facing a muay Thai specialist in Fiziev, he wouldn’t be surprised if the fight hit the mat.

“Just because he’s a muay Thai fighter doesn’t mean he might not try and take me down,” Gaethje said. “And if I do get to the ground, I’ve been working on getting up and working on a few submissions from the top. So you can’t ever look past somebody’s ability to take it to the ground, because we all in this sport have that ability.

“Any of us, as soon as we face adversity in something we thought we were going to be successful in, are going to move to a different option. I think I’m going to be better on the feet. I think I’m going to create more damage, create more angles, control more space, and yeah, I think he’ll find a position where he thinks that might be advantageous.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 286.