Rafael Fiziev: “This is My Life”
Rafael Fiziev is one of the most dangerous strikers in the world. The Tiger Muay Thai striker began training in martial arts at the age of 10 and has not looked back since. Though he dropped his UFC debut back in April 2019, Fiziev has only been training in mixed martial arts since 2015. He got back on track in October 2019 defeating Alex White by unanimous decision. In the Muay Thai world, he was known for his Matrix-style defense and attacks. After a couple of bouts in the UFC, he is ready to take the world by storm.
Returning to Action
This COVID has broken everything in the world,” Rafael Fiziev told MyMMANews. “In Thailand, we had a small quarantine of maybe two weeks then opened everything back up. Not too many people in Thailand got COVID. In Thailand, gyms opened in the summer and we trained at home during the quarantine. Things didn’t change too much.” For many fighters keeping things as normal as possible is crucial.
Exciting Opponent
Fiziev’s opponent for Saturday is another striker in Marc Diakiese. “He wants to finish with a knockout, I want to finish with a knockout.” Fiziev stated. “I think he’ll want to strike. He likes to take down if someone pressures him too much.” Diakiese is on a two-fight winning streak most recently defeating Lando Vannata in September 2019. Six of Diakiese’s career 14 victories have come by knockout while five of Fiziev’s career seven victories have come back knockout. Fiziev also had a very successful Muay Thai career, winning 39 bouts and earning 29 knockouts among those wins.
Human Highlight Reel
His biggest highlight is the viral video of him using his “matrix defense” to avoid a kick against Sorgaw Petchyindee. The highlight occurred on January 27, 2017, in the finals of the Toyota Marathon in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Petchyindee threw a right kick which Fiziev bent backward at the waist showing amazing flexibility and coordination. The video garnered over two million views. The amazing highlight can be seen here.
