Rafael Fiziev
Active 2019–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 83.0
Scouting report
Collecting multiple UFC post-fight bonuses while scoring knockouts of Brad Riddell and Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael "Ataman" Fiziev showed world-class Muay Thai. Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, and training at Tiger Muay Thai, Fiziev uses head-movement slips and body kicks, his striking arsenal underscored by a 94 Kickboxing and 88 Boxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Fiziev emerged as one of the division's elite strikers across 2020 and 2021, scoring decision wins over Marc Diakiese and Bobby Green, knocking out Renato Moicano in round one, and finishing Brad Riddell with a spinning wheel kick at UFC on ESPN 31 in Las Vegas. His Muay Thai striking speed, slips, and combinations are reflected in an 88 Boxing and 94 Kickboxing.
In July 2022 in Las Vegas, Fiziev knocked out former champion Rafael dos Anjos in the fifth round of a main event, before dropping a majority decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in London and suffering a knee injury against Mateusz Gamrot. His striking precision and Muay Thai anchor his 88 Boxing and 95 Kickboxing.
Rafael Fiziev and the Muay Thai background behind the lean-back
Rafael Fiziev started Muay Thai at 11 in Bishkek after being bullied at school. Later he trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, and he went viral in 2017 for a lean-back defensive move in a Toyota Marathon final. He entered MMA in 2015 and arrived in the lightweight division as a striker who cared about angles.
Fiziev, one rating at a time
Boxing. Very good. He knocked out Brad Riddell in round three in 2021 and Rafael dos Anjos in round five in 2022.
Kickboxing. His top rating. Heavy body kicks and fast counters are built on years of Muay Thai.
Wrestling. Passable. He shows competent takedown defense and quick scrambles when someone tests him.
BJJ. His lowest number. Grappling was the toughest part of switching from Muay Thai to MMA, by his own account.
Strength. Strong for the weight class. He stopped Manuel Torres in round two in 2026 after wobbling him with a spinning wheel kick.
Durability. Sound. He went the distance with Justin Gaethje in 2023 and lost only by majority decision.
Cardio. Good. He beat Marc Diakiese and Bobby Green over three rounds.
Fight IQ. Strong. He fights from orthodox but switches stances mid-fight to control angles.
Kickboxing at 94 is the main event
His kickboxing rating is the highest by a wide margin, and it fits his Muay Thai record, which includes a knockout of former Lumpinee Stadium champion Yodpayak Sitsongpeenong in 2017. In a fight that stays standing, few lightweights can match his body kicks and his ability to counter opponents who overcommit.
The mat is where he is weakest: BJJ
His BJJ rating of 72 is the lowest on the card. Mateusz Gamrot, a wrestling-first fighter, beat him in 2023 when the fight ended in round two with a knee injury to Fiziev. Against grapplers with strong wrestling, he has to keep the fight standing. If it stays upright, none of that matters much.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Rafael Fiziev, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Edson Barbozabest kickboxing 95 · weakest bjj 74
- Paul Felderbest kickboxing 88 · weakest bjj 76
- Dan Hookerbest kickboxing 90 · weakest wrestling 78
- Conor McGregorbest boxing 96 · weakest wrestling 72
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Rafael Fiziev's strongest attribute, Kickboxing.
Draft Rafael Fiziev into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Rafael Fiziev is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Rafael Fiziev's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.