Rafael dos Anjos & Rafael Fiziev displayed high-level MMA at UFC Vegas 58 main event. In an intriguing contest, ‘Ataman’ stuffed the Brazilian fighter’s takedown and got the finish in the fifth round.
Official Decision: Rafael Fiziev wins via T/KO (0:18 Round 5).
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The Kings MMA representative showcased composure in the initial rounds and held the Kyrgyzstan-born athlete to the fence to slow him down. The 29-year-old, Fiziev, who struggled to keep the same pace in the third round against Bobby Green, was doing fairly well in his first five-rounder.
Ahead of the bout, the 37-year-old was on a two-fight win streak. ‘RDA’ was coming off a victory against fellow Brazilian fighter Renato Moicano at UFC 272. Whereas, The Tiger Muay Thai gym standout was on a five-fight win streak. The 29-year-old was coming off a win against CKB standout Brad Riddell.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! 🤯#UFCVegas58 @RafaelFiziev pic.twitter.com/t2ByRpPIgd
— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022
Rafael Fiziev calls out Rafael Nadal. He wants to see which Rafael is the best in sports 😂 #UFCVegas58
— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) July 10, 2022
The Muay Thai fighter called out Tennis legend Rafael Nadal in a friendly challenge to figure out who’s the best ‘Rafael’ in the sports after proving he is the best ‘Rafael’ in the UFC.
MMA fans react to the battle of Rafael’s at UFC Vegas 58
Rafael dos Anjos & Rafael Fiziev lit up the UFC Apex with their explosive performance. Fight fanatics posted their initial reaction to the crazy fifth-round stoppage in the main event of UFC Vegas 58.
Good body work from Fiziev!
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 10, 2022
Without* continuation. 😬
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) July 10, 2022
DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #UFCVegas58
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) July 10, 2022
Rafael Fiziev has officially arrived. Massive W over the legend RDA. Welcome to the dance.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 10, 2022
Good stoppage that ground strike was so accurate
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 10, 2022
Wow Congrats to @RafaelFiziev great win! And all respect to RDA @RdosAnjosMMA legend! Keep your head up bro ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾 #UFCVegas58
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 10, 2022
This victory sets Rafael Fiziev for bigger and brighter things. His finish over a former lightweight champion, chiefly coming in the fifth round of the bout, shows he can hang with anyone. Besides, his impressive performance put all the questions regarding his cardio to rest.
What’s next for Rafael Fiziev inside the Octagon?
The phenomenal lightweight striker will now have his eyes set on the top five of the division. Besides, if he gets a Conor McGregor bout next, it would be a huge name in his career.
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Conor, I invite you to @tigermuaythai where we can show you how to kick and defend the kicks properly so you can stop living in fantasy world where you think it’s possible to land an axe kick in this situation https://t.co/N6BQ89Ssyx
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) July 6, 2022
If their latest encounter on Twitter is any sign, ‘The Notorious’ would love to prove his theory about the hole in Fiziev’s defense that he pointed out. Anyhow, even without the McGregor matchup, the 30-year-old is only going to go up in the lightweight ranks with such spectacular performances.
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What do you make of Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev’s main event showcase at UFC Vegas 58? Share your opinions in the comments section.