Tag: Rafael Fiziev

Beneil Dariush includes Charles Oliveira among three options for next UFC fight

Beneil Dariush won’t wait around for a UFC lightweight title shot.

[autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] won’t wait around for a UFC title shot.

Dariush (22-4-1 MMA, 16-4-1 UFC) made it eight consecutive wins when he defeated Mateusz Gamrot by unanimous decision at UFC 280. Although he thinks he’s deserving of a shot at newly crowned lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, he knows it likely won’t happen.

After submitting [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] that same night, Makhachev called over UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski for a faceoff in the octagon. So if Volkanovski is next, Dariush sees three viable options for him.

“I guess right now my options are the winner of Dustin Poirier (and Michael Chandler), Charles (Oliveira), or (Rafael) Fiziev,” Dariush said on Morning Kombat. “Those are the three options. … Those are great fights, so let’s just figure this out and move forward.”

Dariush was scheduled to face Oliveira in October 2020, but the bout was scrapped after Oliveira withdrew due to undisclosed reasons. He was also booked to face Makhachev in February, before an ankle injury forced him to pull out.

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] both recently lost title fights to Oliveira, and the streaking [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] has been eyeing former title challenger Justin Gaethje, who’s currently sidelined after undergoing nose surgery. Regardless of who’s next for Dariush, he hopes to make a relatively quick turnaround.

“I don’t want to sit out for another eight months, nine months, a year-and-a-half,” Dariush added. “I love fighting. I just want to fight. You’re not gonna be able to dangle the belt in front of me. The belt doesn’t make me feel special. I know who I am, I know what I’m worth, and I know what God has put me on this earth to do. So, the belt is cool, I’d love to get it, but ideally I just want to make sure I don’t waste my talents, so I want to get back in there as soon as I can.”

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Rafael Fiziev eyes December or January return against ‘yellow’ Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje is still the number one target for Rafael Fiziev when he returns, and he’s willing to wait for that matchup.

One of the most exciting lightweights in the UFC is fully healthy and is ready to return in December or January against a man who has not responded to his callouts.

In July, [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] underwent surgery to repair damage to his nose after picking up an impressive win over former champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN 39. Now, the No. 6 lightweight in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings is back to training fully and gearing up for a return to the cage. Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) still wants to face Justin Gaethje when that time comes.

“I think I can fight December,” Fiziev told The AllStar. “But I want this guy, bro. This yellow guy. I want him because it’s a very big challenge for me and really, this is nice fight. He like fighting stand up, and I like fighting stand up. Of course, he want to take me down, but everybody know how much Gaethje love the top.”

Fiziev has called out Gaethje since knocking off the former champ RDA, but it has been a one-way street. While his calls for a fight have yet to elicit a response, “Ataman” believes it’s because Gaethje wants a big fight with Conor McGregor or someone else that’s not as tough of a fight. If the former interim lightweight champ is game, Fiziev is willing to wait for the matchup.

“We’ll see, but hopefully I fight December or January with this guy,” Fiziev said. “Maybe January. I can wait (for) him. I can wait (for) him, I can wait like next year, for sure. No problem. I like it because now, my body is – I just rest, I feel good, I eat everything, what I want already. And now, mentally, I’m already want (to get) back to schedule, want (to get) back to diet, want to stay in shape. Skinny, you know? I miss for this.”

Fiziev, who typically fights twice in a calendar year, would like to end his 2022 or start his 2023 campaign with a tough challenge. Even with a fully repaired nose and a well-rested body, don’t expect his activity levels to change.

“I understand my body now,” Fiziev said. “I don’t like (to) fight many times a year like many people do. Like Donald Cerrone, a lot of short notice. My body is not like that. I’m not all year in shape, no. For me, I need to rest a little bit, two months, eat like crazy, and after I get ready inside, you know?”

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‘Let’s see who’s nose job is better’: Rafael Fiziev continues angling for Justin Gaethje matchup

Rafael Fiziev’s desired next opponent has also recently undergone nose surgery.

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]’s desired next opponent has also recently undergone nose surgery.

Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) went under the knife after scoring a fifth-round knockout of Rafael dos Anjos this past Saturday at UFC on ESPN 39. In his post-fight interview, the streaking lightweight called out [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag], who also just got his nose fixed.

Fiziev saw Gaethje’s image post surgery and jokingly raised him one.

“Perfect timing 👃 Let’s find out who’s nose job is better 😂@Justin_Gaethje”

Gaethje (23-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) took the opportunity to fix a nagging nose injury. After outlasting Michael Chandler in a Fight of the Year at UFC 268 last November, the former interim lightweight champion fell short in his second attempt at undisputed gold when he was submitted by Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 274.

Meanwhile, Fiziev has been on a role. Prior to knocking ex-UFC lightweight champ dos Anjos out, the 29-year-old scored a spinning wheel kick finish of Tiger Muay Thai teammate Brad Riddell at UFC on ESPN 31 last December. Fiziev has won his past six in a row, receiving bonuses in his past five outings.

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Rafael dos Anjos reacts to UFC on ESPN 39 knockout, says Rafael Fiziev ‘caught me good’

Rafael dos Anjos handled his knockout loss to Rafael Fiziev at UFC on ESPN 39 with the utmost class.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] handled his knockout loss to [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 39 with the utmost class.

Dos Anjos (32-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC), a former UFC lightweight champion, had his night brought to a sudden halt on Saturday when Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) caught him with a huge punch in the fifth round that led to a stoppage at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

It was a tough setback for the Brazilian, who had been making a charge up the 155-pound pecking order in pursuit of regaining the UFC title he lost in 2016. It didn’t go his way, but as always, dos Anjos was gracious in defeat (via Twitter):

Congrats @RafaelFiziev great win. It was a fun one…you caught me good on that one. Enjoy your victory.

Fiziev showed all respect in return to dos Anjos, who is just one of 10 fighters to reach 20 career victories under the UFC banner. The surging contender added a big scalp to his resume with the win, and is now poised for a run toward the top of the division (via Twitter):

Nothing but respect to the future hall of famer @RdosAnjosMMA
Thanks for the opportunity 🤝

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UFC on ESPN 39 post-event facts: Ricky Turcios’ rough striking numbers enter record books

Ricky Turcios landed just 11.5 percent of his strike attempts at UFC on ESPN 39, putting him in the record books for the wrong reasons.

After International Fight Week took over the MMA world, UFC on ESPN 39 on Saturday proved to be something of a hangover card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) put a highlight on the end of a long night of fights, though, when he scored a fifth-round knockout of former UFC champ [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] (32-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) to extend his winning streak in the lightweight division to six consecutive fights.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 39.

Rafael Fiziev sends message to Justin Gaethje: ‘Don’t talk sh*t and let’s go’

Rafael Fiziev wants Justin Gaethje next.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] is taking aim at the top of the division following his latest win in the UFC.

The rising UFC lightweight contender called out former title challenger Justin Gaethje following his KO victory over Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 39 in Las Vegas. Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), who’s now on a six-fight winning streak, believes that’s what makes sense for him next in his carer.

“Yeah, you know I want to fight with Gaethje,” Fiziev told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 39 post-fight news conference. “… Gaethje, if you want to fight, one more yellow guy with yellow hairs (Charles Oliveira), we need to know who’s best.

“That’s a good match for you and me. If you’re ready, and you’re not scared, don’t talk sh*t and let’s go.”

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Much like former UFC champion dos Anjos (31-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC), Fiziev expects a tough fight with Gaetheje. He also thinks there’s a good chance fans will see a finish – whether it comes his way or in Gaethje’s direction.

“I think he would maybe make my face like this, maybe more hard,” Fiziev said as he pointed to his battered face. “He’s dangerous also and a big challenge for me. I think he has a lot of chance to knock me out, and I have a lot of chance to knock him out. That’s a good fight, I think, for fans also.”

Fiziev finds himself on a six-fight winning streak, which includes notable names such as Bobby Green, Brad Riddell, Renato Moicano, and now a former UFC champion in dos Anjos. Fiziev has only lost once in his entire professional MMA career, coming up short in his UFC debut back in 2019.

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UFC on ESPN 39 results: Rafael Fiziev KOs Rafael dos Anjos, improves streak to six straight

Rafael Fiziev continues to climb the rankings after finishing a former champion in the main event.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] keeps climbing up the rankings.

The UFC lightweight contender extended his winning streak on Saturday night. Fiziev (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) knocked out former UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] in the main event of UFC on ESPN 39. The official stoppage came 18 seconds into the fifth round.

It was a competitive fight that seemed to slightly favor Fiziev for the majority of the fight.

In the first three rounds, dos Anjos (31-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) looked to takedown Fiziev, but he was unable to. The former champion struggled to bring Fiziev to the mat, but did have some success controlling Fiziev for certain periods of time against the cage. However, when the fight was on the feet, Fiziev seemed to connect more and overall command the fight in that area.

In round four, dos Anjos looked significantly better. He connected the cleaner shots of the round and looked to be more active on the feet. He also got a clean takedown and managed to get control time on Fiziev.

Unfortunately for dos Anjos, the momentum he picked up quickly came to an end at the beginning of the fifth round. Fiziev clipped the Brazilian with a left hook, dropped him, and followed up with a few shots to get the fight called off.

https://twitter.com/espnmma/status/1545986895443767296?s=20&t=wblZUef82VXo7UaC3MLsDA

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With this win, Fiziev’s momentum in the UFC keeps growing. The 29-year-old is on a six-fight winning streak, which includes notable names such as Bobby Green, Brad Riddell, Renato Moicano and now dos Anjos. Fiziev has only lost once in his entire professinal MMA career, coming up short in his UFC debut back in 2019.

On the other hand, dos Anjos tasted his first defeat since dropping back to lightweight. The former champion moved down from welterweight back to lightweight in late 2020. He defeated Paul Felder in his return and then followed up with a dominant decision win over Moicano. Dos Anjos is 3-3 in his past six outings.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 39 results include:

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Twitter reacts to Rafael Fiziev’s knockout of Rafael dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN 39

See the top Twitter reactions to Rafael Fiziev’s win over Rafael dos Anjos in the UFC on ESPN 39 main event.

[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] took a major step forward in his career Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] in his first main event opportunity at UFC on ESPN 39.

Fiziev’s (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) sixth consecutive win was his most significant to date, because he beat former UFC champ dos Anjos (32-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) by fifth-round knockout in the lightweight headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Fiziev’s victory over dos Anjos at UFC on ESPN 39.

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UFC on ESPN 39: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 39 bout odds and lines between Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rafael Fiziev, with MMA picks, tips and predictions.

In a lightweight bout in the main event, Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 39 – also known as UFC Vegas 58 – at the UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas.  Below, we analyze the UFC on ESPN 39 dos Anjos vs. Fiziev odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The prelims can be viewed on ESPN/ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card on ESPN/ESPN+ starts at 9 p.m.

Dos Anjos has bounced back from a 1-4 skid with a split-decision win over Paul Felder and a unanimous-decision at UFC 272 last time out against Renato Moicano.

Each of the past 4 fights for dos Anjos have ended up going the distance, and he has just 1 finish across his past 8 outings.

Fiziev heads into this bout with 5 straight victories, including a third-round KO/TKO win over Brad Riddell last time out in December. He is 5-1 since arriving at the UFC level, with 3 finishes in the past 5 outings.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC on ESPN 39 dos Anjos vs. Fiziev odds and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:40 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Dos Anjos +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Fiziev -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
  • Total rounds: Over 4.5 (-155) | Under 4.5 (+112)
  • Will the fight go the distance? Yes (-170) | No (+122)

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UFC on ESPN 39 dos Anjos vs. Fiziev picks and predictions

Records: dos Anjos (31-13-0) | Fiziev (11-1-0)

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

Fiziev (-220) is a little on the expensive side, costing more than 2 times your potential return. While he is expected to roll in this fight, get a little more specific.

Dos Anjos (+170) tends to go the distance, and Fiziev is not strange to the judges deciding a winner in his fights, either. Take FIZIEV BY POINTS (+135) for a much better value.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 4.5 ROUNDS (-155) isn’t terribly out of line if you want a little wiggle room in the event of a late finish. Still, it’s a much better value than playing Yes (-170): Fight to go the distance.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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UFC on ESPN 39 video: Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael Fiziev all business during faceoffs

Watch Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev face off ahead of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 39.

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] have kept it professional all the way through.

The two UFC lightweight contenders have had a very respectful buildup to their clash in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 39. From pre-fight interviews to fight week and now the final staredowns, both dos Anjos (31-13 MMA, 20-11 UFC) and Fiziev (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) have been very cordial.

You can watch the main event staredown, as well as the staredowns for the rest of UFC on ESPN 39 in the video above.

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Dos Anjos has won back-to-back fights after a tough stretch of four losses in five bouts. But those losses all came at welterweight to Colby Covington, current champion Kamaru Usman, upcoming title challenger Leon Edwards and Michael Chiesa – all by decision. Since his return to lightweight, he has wins over Paul Felder and, in March, Renato Moicano.

Fiziev has been on a roll since the lone loss of his pro career, which came in his UFC debut in April 2019. Since then, he has five straight wins and has post-fight bonus awards in four straight. This past December, he stopped Brad Riddell with a highlight-reel spinning wheel kick.

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