Rafael Fiziev looks powerful in unanimous decision win over Marc Diakiese
The UFC continues their stay at “Fight Island” and tonight they will crown another champion.
Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez will once again fight for the vacant flyweight title. The two met in February and Figueiredo walked away with the TKO win, but left without the belt because he failed to make the 125 weight limit. This time bout fighters made weight.
In the co-main event, middleweights Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum will square off in a meeting between the No. 6 and 7 ranked fighters within the division.
Prior to those fights, Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev will meet in a lightweight bout.
Diakiese (14-3) is looking to build off of a great 2019 in which he won both of his fights that year against Lando Vannata and Joseph Duffy. Those two wins were big for Diakiese as he was riding a three-fight losing streak before picking up those wins.
Fiziev (7-1) will be making the walk to the octagon for just the third time in his career. Right now he’s 1-1 in his UFC tenure. He lost his UFC debut to Magmoed Mustafaev and then rebounded to win his next fight against Alex White.
Here’s a breakdown of their fight with round-by-round scoring.
Round 1
Diakiese with the first clean strike of the fight as he lands a leg kick and stops Fiziev right in his tracks.
Fiziev showcases his power and he lands a huge kick to the body and then clinches with Diakiese before rag dolling him to the ground.
The two remain on the ground for a few moments and once they get back to their feet, Fiziev throws a switch kick that lands hard.
Fiziev goes to the body yet again and it lands hard and effectively. Diakiese shoots in for a takedown and Fiziev grabs him and just powers him right to the ground. Diakiese is now bleeding from the nose.
Once the two get back to the feet, Fiziev continues to land heavy punches and kicks and easily takes the opening frame.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Fiziev
Round 2
Fiziev looks fantastic on the feet. He lands a nice straight punch to open the round. He is also moving around great and looks confident.
The blood is really pouring from the nose of Diakese and Fiziev lands a punch right on that nose.
Fiziev is controlling the pace and as we come to the halfway point of the round he lands a leg kick and a few seconds later he lands a spinning back fist.
Diakese goes for a takedown and Fiziev stuffs it and the two clinch against the cage. Fiziev breaks the clinch and once again lands a leg kick.
Diakiese is starting to throw hard in the final minute of the round, but not really landing. Another round for Fiziev.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Fiziev
Round 3
Diakiese is swinging for the fences. He knows he needs a knockout to win.
After a minute and a half of action, Diakiese is swinging hard and he’s breathing heavy. Fiziev steps forward and lands a few shots, including several punches to the body in a brief clinch.
After way through the round, Fiziev is again controlling the tempo .
Diakiese tries for a takedown and its stuffed. Fiziev lands a few shots off the stuffed takedown attempt.
Diakiese has his first big moment of the fight. He lands a beautiful punch that snaps back Fiziev’s head.
Following the big shot, Diarkiese keeps busy and is trying hard for a knockout. He was throwing punches in bunches, but no other big shot lands clean.
This round was a great round. Lots of action, especially from Diakiese. He may sneak in the final round due to how active he was throughout it, but he won’t win the fight.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Diakiese
MyMMANews scorecard: 29-28 Fiziev
Official Result: Rafael Fiziev defeats Marc Diakiese by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
