Rafael Fiziev gave Azerbaijani fight fans a night to remember last year.
On June 21, 2025, the UFC held its debut event in Azerbaijan with UFC on ABC 8. Fiziev, of Azerbaijani nationality, put on a striking clinic against then-rising prospect Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event of the card. Fiziev used his slick striking to outwork Bahamondes and earn himself a unanimous decision win, which snapped a three-fight losing skid for Fiziev.
Advertisement
You can watch Fiziev’s impressive performance in the video above.
Fiziev returns to the cage this Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 280 (Paramount+) – which takes place at Crystal Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan. Fiziev will be taking on another Latin American striker, this time facing knockout artist Manuel Torres (17-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC).
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku full fight: Rafael Fiziev wins in UFC’s Azerbaijan debut
