The preliminary card headliner for UFC 265 between Bobby Green and Rafael Fiziev captured everyone’s attention inside the Toyota Center. The lightweight scrap was an instant ‘Fight of the Night’ candidate with high-paced action from start to finish. Chiefly, fans had circled the bout to be a potential showstopper and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
Rafael Fiziev weathered a late flurry from ‘King’ Green and he picked up the unanimous decision on the scorecards. The UD win didn’t come as easily as some fans expected as the veteran in Bobby Green had a solid game plan. However, when it’s all said and done, Rafael Fiziev left the octagon with a four-fight win streak and is now a major player at lightweight.
Four-straight wins for ATAMAN 🙌
🇰🇬 @RafaelFiziev gets the UD! #UFC265 pic.twitter.com/UeqagOhlGh
— UFC (@ufc) August 8, 2021
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UFC 265: Bobby Green vs Rafael Fiziev- Bout Overview
Both men started off strong with heavy bombs being thrown right from the get-go. Moreover, neither man was willing to back down from the trash talk that immediately had the entire arena excited. Both fighters chirped back and forth and landed one-off offensive strikes that certainly began to add up.
The way @RafaelFiziev ran after him 😅 #UFC265 pic.twitter.com/EoXHteRWJI
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 8, 2021
Rafael Fiziev began to pull away in round two and he certainly had the more dominant round. So far in the UFC, he has been nothing short of brilliant, barring a TKO defeat to Magomed Mustafaev in his UFC debut. Several UFC pros reacted to the firefight between Green and Fiziev and the general consensus was that Rafael Fiziev was ahead.
Green and Fiziev! This fight looks fun!! @ufc #UFC265
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) August 8, 2021
That was wild!!!
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) August 8, 2021
Loving every minute of this fight between Green vs Fiziev #UFC265 #ufc
— Darren Elkins (@DarrenElkinsMMA) August 8, 2021
Rafa!! Throwing Heat! #UFC265 @RafaelFiziev LET’S Go BRO 🥊🥊
— Impa Kasanganay (@kingimpa) August 8, 2021
This Green vs Fiziev fight is everything I dreamed of! #StrikersDelight #UFC265
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) August 8, 2021
However, Bobby Green showed his savvy veteran outlook when he came back strong in the third and final round. Green out-landed Fiziev 74-35 in terms of total strikes landed unofficially in round three and clearly won the round. Rafael Fiziev seemingly began to fade and Green was keen to capitalize on that fact.
So much HEAT being thrown!! Green making this a lot closer than the odds maker have this match up. I’m here for this action!! #UFC265
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 8, 2021
Ultimately, Rafael Fiziev’s early output was enough to warrant a rather clear decision win from the judges. It was clear as day that both men put forth everything they had to deliver a gritty war for fight fans everywhere.
They probably going to give it Fiziev but green fought an amazing fight tonight. #ufc265 #fightofthenight
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) August 8, 2021
Rafa is a bad man! #UFC265
— Ian Heinisch (@ianheinischmma) August 8, 2021
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It remains to be seen what’s next for Fiziev, however, he’ll be looking towards a marquee fight in his next outing.
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