Rafael Fiziev and Rafael Nadal
Former UFC middleweight champion, and UFC broadcast team member Michael Bisping reacts to Rafael Fiziev calling out Rafael Nadal
The talent-stacked lightweight division is seeing a fresh crop of talent emerging up in the ranks, and one of those fighters locked horns with an experienced veteran this weekend. Former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos clashed against Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Vegas 58.
Fiziev scored the biggest win of his Pro-MMA career against the experienced veteran Dos Anjos. He became only the second fighter to drop Dos Anjos, and the third to finish him by TKO or KO in the UFC octagon. Fiziev approached the fight strategically, and kept his gas tank efficient till the fifth round. Usually coming in strong guns blazing, and loading up on shots, Fiziev showed patience, composure, and level-headedness in his path to victory.
In the early rounds, Fiziev stayed outside in range, landing good shots to the body, and coming high straight down the pipe. He would occasionally land check hooks, and crisp combinations when Dos Anjos moved in range. The Brazilian resorted for a grappling heavy approach, trying to tire Fiziev on the clinch and make him fight a grueling clinch contest. Representing Azerbaijan for the first time in the UFC, Fiziev had done enough to win the first two rounds.
Dos Anjos sported a gnarly cut on his arm from a blocked kick entering into round 3. He continued to try and take the fight to the ground after multiple failed attempts, but eventually succeeded in the third. But Fiziev worked his way right back up. Dos Anjos had much more success in this round, and probably ended up winning it.
The second round continued in similar manner, and Dos Anjos entered with a perfect takedown. He tied up the legs of Fizieva against the cage and began attempting his onslaught. He won the fourth round, and it was 2-2 leading up to the fifth.
In the fifth round, Fiziev setup the perfect plan to spark Dos Anjos. He realized that the Brazilian is heavily shelling and covering up to avoid Fiziev’s powerful right hand. Fiziev entered with the desired right hand, but faked it only to draw a big reaction out of his opponent. He followed up with a heavy left hook, that floored Dos Anjos. Fiziev followed his opponent to the ground and landed two more punches before the referee had seen enough.
Defeating Rafael Dos Anjos in a mixed martial arts contest is no narrow feat, let alone finishing him. Fiziev who’s known for his unique post-fight call-outs famously hollered at Hasbulla in the past. He took the opportunity to call out Tennis legend, and clay king, Rafael Nadal for a fight to determine the best ‘Rafael’ in the sport.
He said, ‘“Now I wanna say, now we know who the best Rafael in UFC. And now I wanna make a new challenge, ‘Who is the best Rafael in sports?’ Rafael Nadal, come here”
Bisping was the one who conducted the interview, and at first he thought that Fiziev was actually calling out Rafael Natal, a former UFC middleweight fighter. He posted a video on his Youtube channel, reacting to the bizarre callout.
Bisping said, “Fiziev, he did the post-fight interview and he said he’s calling out Rafael Nadal, right? I’m in there doing the interview and I’m like, ‘Isn’t he a f***ing tennis player.’ I wasn’t sure and I’m like, ‘Is there a Rafael in the UFC?’ I’m thinking, ‘Is he meaning Rafael Natal that used to be a middleweight?'”
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