MMA news: Rafael Fiziev teases weight-class change following UFC 313 defeat
As Sports News Blitz continues to bring you the latest in the MMA, Niall Togher reports on Rafael Fiziev’s future after a tough night at UFC 313.
Following his third straight loss, the Azerbaijani lightweight is now weighing his options - including a potential shift to a new division.
Time for a fresh start?
Fiziev stepped up on short notice at UFC 313 to replace the injured Dan Hooker as Fiziev took on the former interim lightweight and BMF champion, Justin Gaethje in the co-main event over the weekend.
Just like their first encounter at UFC 286, Fiziev and Gaethje’s rematch was an entertaining, back-and-forth affair, but ultimately, the outcome was the same, with Gaethje winning the bout via decision.
The contest was the Azerbaijani’s first since September 2023 due to the knee injury he suffered in his fight against Mateusz Gamrot.
Fiziev eyes a move to the featherweight division
With the long layoff and the loss on Saturday being his third in a row, Fiziev is now outside of the top 10 at 155 pounds after previously being ranked as high as number 6 in the division.
However, when asked in a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show about his next fight, ‘Ataman’ revealed that he is considering a move down to featherweight.
“I’m too small at this weight division [lightweight],” Fiziev said.
“I started thinking about changing weight division because I cut weight very easy this time, and this is on short notice.
“All this week my nutritionist, Jason, he tried to make me gain weight because my weight got low so fast.
“I’ve been thinking about it a long time because I am not big for this division, and I lose weight so easily.” Fiziev said.
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‘They’ll be in trouble’
Fiziev did not have an exact name in mind when asked who he would like to face in his UFC featherweight debut.
He stated that he wants to fight the “top guys”, and all of the names in the top ten of the division are “interesting” potential future opponents for him.
“They’ll be in trouble, man, everybody,” Fiziev said.
“I tell this to the team, I’m going to check my bones, all of my body, muscles to make sure I can make the weight with good quality. I don’t want to rush,” explained the Azerbaijani.
How does Fiziev stack up?
If the 32-year-old can make featherweight healthily and regain the form he had before his injury, he will be a top contender at 145 pounds just as he has been at 155 pounds.
At featherweight, there aren’t too many ‘wrestle-heavy’ styles.
And with Fiziev’s explosive Muay Thai being a danger to any opponent he shares the Octagon with, there are plenty of big fights you could make against the likes of Arnold Allen or the loser of the upcoming matchup between Lerone Murphy and Josh Emmett.
With the title picture in the division being blown wide open after champion Ilia Topuria vacated his title to move up in weight, 2025 could be the perfect opportunity for Rafael Fiziev to make a run at featherweight now that he has returned from injury.
