In the main event of UFC Baku , held this Saturday afternoon (27), in the capital of Azerbaijan, Rafael Fiziev gave a real show in front of his home crowd. The Muay Thai athlete, lightweight (up to 70,3 kg), defeated Manuel Torres by technical knockout in the second round, ended his losing streak and once again established himself among the top names in the category. Still in the octagon, the Azerbaijani took the opportunity to challenge Charles do Bronx , the current holder of the BMF belt.
Spectacular knockout in the main event.
At 33 years old, Fiziev delivered a complete performance. Known for his excellent striking skills, the home fighter surprised by combining his usual aggressiveness on his feet with well-timed takedowns and efficient distance control, neutralizing the Mexican's main offensive weapons for virtually the entire fight.
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The fight began at a fast pace, without any period of feeling each other out. In the first few seconds, Rafael landed a precise straight punch and, shortly after, surprised everyone by taking him down within the first minute. With good movement, varied kicks and straight punches, the Azerbaijani controlled the action and imposed his game to the deafening support of the crowd.
Manuel Torres had his best moment in the final moments of the first round, when he landed a powerful straight punch that even rocked Fiziev. Despite the reaction, the Mexican couldn't change the course of the fight. This moment went down in Torres' career history, as it was the first time one of his UFC fights went beyond the first round.
In the second round, however, Rafael Fiziev put a spectacular end to the fight. The Azerbaijani landed a perfect spinning kick that struck his opponent squarely in the head, instantly knocking him down. Without wasting the opportunity, he followed up with a series of ground strikes until the referee stopped the fight, confirming an impressive technical knockout and bringing the Baku crowd to its feet.
With the victory, Fiziev is once again dreaming big in the lightweight division and, immediately after the official announcement of the result, made sure to set a new goal: a duel against Charles Oliveira for the BMF belt, making it clear that he intends to fight one of the most important fights of his career next.
UFC Baku Results
MAIN CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Rafael Fiziev defeated Manuel Torres by knockout (punches) at 15 seconds of round 2.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Shara Magomedov defeated Michel Pereira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Matheus Camilo defeated Nazim Sadykhov by technical knockout (punches) at 1:31 of round 1.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Asu Almabayev defeated Charles Johnson by submission (Suloev Stretch) at 3:33 of round 3.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Ikram Aliskerov defeated Brunno Hulk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Abus Magomedov defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:25 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Farman Hasanov defeated Eric Nolan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Abdul Rakhman Yakhyev defeated Julius Walker by knockout (punches) at 08 seconds of round 1.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Nursulton Ruziboev defeated Andrey Pulyaev by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:58 of round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Kaan Ofli defeated Javier Reyes by submission (katagatame) at 4:16 of round 1.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Daniil Donchenko defeated Theodor Berggren by technical knockout (high kick and punches) at 1:35 of round 2.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Jean Matsumoto defeated Bekzat Almakhan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Tahir Abdullayev defeated Jefferson Toddynho by technical knockout (punches) at 4:28 of round 3.
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