The UFC has announced its return to Baku, Azerbaijan on June 27, with Rafael Fiziev headlining the event at the National Gymnastics Arena against Manuel Torres in a lightweight main event.
Fiziev gets the chance to perform in front of his home country crowd, though he arrives in difficult form. The 33-year-old is 1-4 in his last five fights, with his only win during that stretch coming against Ignacio Bahamondes at last year’s inaugural UFC Baku event. His most recent outing was a second-round knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325.
Torres enters on contrasting momentum, riding a two-fight winning streak built on back-to-back first-round knockouts of Drew Dober and Grant Dawson. A win over the ranked Fiziev would be the result that finally cracks Torres into the lightweight top 15.
The co-feature brings together two of the division’s most entertaining performers. Shara Magomedov returns to face fan-favorite Michel Pereira in a middleweight clash that promises fireworks from the opening bell. Magomedov is coming off a win over Marc-Andre Barriault that helped him rebound from his first professional loss against Michael Page. Pereira enters having snapped a three-fight losing streak with a split decision victory over Zachary Reese.
UFC Baku takes place June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, one week before UFC Freedom 250 at the White House.
After suffering just the second loss of his career last time out, Mauricio Ruffy has rebounded with a strong finish of Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325.
After a feeling-out process for the first 90 seconds, Ruffy was able to pin Fiziev to the fence and look for a clinch. Fiziev worked his way off though, and the two started to look for their strong strikes, albeit a lot of single strikes.
Fiziev looked to close angles and cut off the cage, using his footwork to try and control the action. Ruffy did not see to provide as much offense as he potentially could, though he was still noticeably landing on Fiziev.
Things were taken to another level in the middle of the second round, with Ruffy landing a right hook that stunned Fiziev. Fiziev tried to regain his footing, but Ruffy did not let up, leading to the second-round TKO.
Mauricio Ruffy Finishes Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325
What a technical fight!!! Ruffy stayed calm and delivered 🔥🔥🔥#UFC325
Mauricio Ruffy just showed how you overcome adversity.
Suffered his first UFC loss, went to train with Alex Volkanovski, came out with a more technical style, and finished a guy that’s hard to finish. pic.twitter.com/xkxlnMknjf
Ruffy is now 4-1, with three finishes, in his UFC career. The Dana White Contender Series alumnus rebounds from a loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris this past September.
Fiziev has now lost four of his last five fights. His losses include a pair of losses to Justin Gaethje and the injury he suffered against Mateusz Gamrot. He scored a victory over Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Baku in June.
Charles Oliveira finally has an opponent set for his next Octagon appearance.
Oliveira was originally slated to face Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight bout headlining UFC Rio on October 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. However, last week it was revealed that “Ataman” had to withdraw due to injury, prompting a search for a new opponent for the former UFC 155-pound champion.
The UFC has lost its lightweight main event between Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev on Oct. 11 after Fiziev has been forced to withdraw due to injury, sources confirmed to @bokamotoESPN.
Octagon Update was first to report the news of Fiziev's injury. The UFC has not commented…
Several fighters, including Benoit Saint Denis, Mateusz Gamrot, and even former UFC featherweight title contender Diego Lopes, emerged as potential short-notice replacements for “Do Bronx”.
Charles Oliveira Matched With Mateusz Gamrot In UFC Rio Main Event
On Tuesday, Charles Oliveira revealed that he has agreed to face Mateusz Gamrot in the UFC Rio main event following Rafael Fiziev’s withdrawal.
“Opponent: Mateusz Gamrot,” Charles Oliveira said on social media. “This is the guy we’re going to battle in a great war. The rest just wanted the hype, just wanted to stall and talk but that’s part of it, that’s how it is… Mateusz Gamrot, thank you for accepting the fight. It’s going to be a big war! The lion is hungry. I’m full of willpower. We’ll meet on Oct. 11.”
“Do Bronx” is coming off a devastating first-round knockout loss to reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 this past June. Once riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, Oliveira is now navigating a challenging period in his career, going 3-3 in his last six bouts.
He holds a 23-11 record with one no contest in the UFC, with 16 of those victories coming via submission.
Meanwhile, Gamrot had been eager for a showdown with the Brazilian veteran for quite some time, and when the headliner spot at UFC Rio became vacant, he threw his hat in the ring and kept campaigning on social media until the UFC finally made the call.
“Gamer” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC Vegas 107 this past May, securing a unanimous decision victory over Ludovit Klein. The 34-year-old Polish fighter holds an 8-3 UFC record, with four of those wins coming by stoppage.
A highly anticipated lightweight contenders battle that was set to headline UFC Rio in less than a month’s time is now no longer on the table.
Per a report from AgFight, Rafael Fiziev has suffered an injury and will be unable to make the walk at UFC Rio. He was scheduled to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the main event.
No information is readily available on the UFC’s next course of action, but the belief is Oliveira will remain on the card with a replacement opponent being sought after.
Charles Oliveira vs. Rafael Fiziev Scrapped As UFC Rio Headliner
Fiziev was most recently in action at UFC Baku in June, scoring a decision over Ignacio Bahamondes — marking Fiziev’s first win in two years.
This would have been Oliveira’s first fight since getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria in their lightweight title bout at UFC 317.
UFC Rio takes place on October 11 from the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rafael Fiziev still believes his UFC Rio opponent Charles Oliveira is dangerous, even after his knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317.
Later this year, Charles Oliveira will make his return to the cage when he battles Rafael Fiziev in a huge lightweight bout at UFC Rio. While many are excited to see the fight, others are concerned that ‘Do Bronx’ is returning too quickly after he was knocked out cold by Ilia Topuria in his most recent outing.
Of course, for Rafael Fiziev, this is all about seizing an opportunity. Charles Oliveira is a former world champion and he’s also someone who is more than talented enough to beat a lot of the other guys in the top 15 at 155 pounds.
In a recent interview, Fiziev gave his thoughts on what kind of Charles Oliveira he expects to see in Brazil.
Rafael Fiziev’s view on Charles Oliveira
“I think it’s OK – he has big experience,” Fiziev told Home of Fight of Oliveira. “Medicine in the world right now on a high level also. He put some drops, some IV, for sure he heal up, and he’s getting ready. …(It’s) still a dangerous fight. He’s still dangerous. This knockout does not change anything for my fight with him.”
“I’m not a boxer. I’m a kickboxer. My punches are also hard, but if I touch him good, for sure I can knock him out, also,” Fiziev said. “Many people say after a knockout, you’re not the same – the chin is not the same. Everybody says that, but I don’t know if it’s true or not. Many people who start to lose by knockout, they just get old. I don’t know if it’s true or not. We’ll check it.”
After coming up short against Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, ‘Do Bronx’ will look to climb back into the win column on October 11 when he collides with lightweight striking sensation Rafael Fiziev inside Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. UFC officially announced the five-round headliner on Thursday.
Charles Oliveira and Rafael Fiziev vie for top-five ranking in Rio
Oliveira (35-11, 1 NC), suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss against Topuria in June, dropping him to 2-3 in his last five outings. Despite the recent setbacks, the former 155-pound titleholder is still sitting as the No. 4 ranked contender in the division, meaning one big win could put him right back into the title picture.
Fiziev (13-4) recently snapped a three-fight losing skid, scoring a much-needed unanimous decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Baku. The win was good enough to keep ‘Ataman’ in the lightweight top 10, but with a win over Oliveira in enemy territory, Fiziev could skyrocket himself into the top five and put him on the cusp of his first UFC title opportunity.
Thus far, three other bouts have been confirmed for UFC Rio, including a bantamweight clash featuring the debut of 10-time BJJ world champion and ADCC gold medalist Bia Mesquita as she faces Irina Alekseeva.
Also on tap is a pair of heavyweight bouts between Vitor Petrino and Thomas Petersen, and Jhonata Diniz and Mario Pinto.
UFC lightweight star Rafael Fiziev has called for a collision with fellow contender Dan Hooker following his win at UFC Baku.
After a three-fight losing streak, Rafael Fiziev was in need of a big win at UFC Baku – and he got it. He was able to defeat Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event of the evening and in doing so, the 32-year-old proved that he’s still got a lot left in the tank at 155 pounds. He may not be a top title prospect right now but if he can pick up a couple more big wins, then who knows what could be possible.
Someone who is also hoping to make a charge for the title is none other than Dan Hooker. The veteran has been out of action for quite some time due to injury, and yet despite that, Rafael Fiziev is still pretty interested in meeting him in the middle of the Octagon.
Rafael Fiziev shows interest in Dan Hooker fight
“In my mind, first one after this tall guy is Dan Hooker,” Fiziev said at the UFC on ABC 8 post-fight press conference. “He’s another tall guy, and I like fighting against tall guys.”
“He’s a man. He’s a man. How many crazy fights does he have in there?” Fiziev said. “He deserves one more crazy fight. He has a place now (in the rankings). I don’t believe this place. When I lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot, I didn’t lose that place, really. It was an injury. So this place he now holds, I want to take it back if that’s OK.”
For the first time since 2022, Rafael Fiziev is finally back in the win column, coming out on top in the UFC Baku co-main event against Ignacio Bahamondes.
The first round between the two was a slow one, with both men landing leg kicks and feeling each other out. Fiziev, however, did seem to do more, thanks to his focus on working the body. Bahamondes looked to get inside during the second round, failing on a takedown attempt before pressing Fiziev into the fence. But Fiziev defended those attempts well, in addition to excellent striking defense, and continued to land sharply, including a pair of takedowns and a knockdown of Bahamondes in the later stages of the second.
The two did plenty of trading early in the third round, with Fiziev even denying a Bahamondes opportunity to bring the fight to the ground. Fiziev was getting the better of the exchanges once more, and he scored one more takedown in the final minute of the round. Bahamondes went frantic with elbows on the ground, but Fiziev’s ground strikes were too much. The fight returned to the feet and Bahamondes went for a drastic submission, but Fiziev countered it and ended the fight in full mount.
Fiziev swept the judges’ scorecards in a unanimous decision victory.
Rafael Fiziev Sweeps Scorecards Against Ignacio Bahamondes In UFC Baku Co-Main
Who saw Fiziev's wrestling becoming a factor. This has been a great comeback performance from Ataman
Was pretty surprised to see how counted out Fiziev was in this one. He's easily fought the better competition, and his last three losses were pretty deceiving. Solid showing to rebound.
Fiziev had entered this fight on a three-fight losing skid, with two of those fights coming against Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 and UFC 313. Between those fights, Fiziev lost to Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023 after suffering an injury.
Bahamondes had come into this fight on a three-fight winning streak, all three of which he earned performance bonuses in. His most recent win had come against Jalin Turner at UFC 313 in March.
“Ataman” stepped in on short notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker opposite Justin Gaethje, marking the second time that Fiziev has shared the cage with “The Highlight.”
Just like first time around in London, the Azerbaijani performed valiantly but was unable to do enough to secure victory on the scorecards. And a second defeat to Gaethje and third overall has left Fiziev assessing his future.
During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Fiziev suggested that a drop down to the featherweight division could mark his next step on MMA’s biggest stage.
“I’m (starting) to think right now about changing weight divisions because I cut weight very easy this time, and this was short notice,” Rafael Fiziev said. “All this week, my nutritionist, he tried to gain my weight because my weight go low so fast. Right now, I have to think about it.
“I’ve been thinking about it a long time. Like I say, I am not big in this division,” Fiziev continued. “These guys have trouble if I come there. They’ll be in trouble, man, everybody.”
Should Rafael Fiziev commit to that change, he’d depart the 155-pound weight class as its #11-ranked contender. Prior to running into Gaethje, “Ataman” had won six straight fights, including over Renato Moicano, King Green, and Rafael dos Anjos.
UFC 313 took place tonight from the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, Alex Pereira put his light heavyweight title on the line against Magomed Ankalaev. While in the co-main event, Justin Gaethje faced Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight matchup.
UFC 313 Results: Main Card
Light Heavyweight Championship: Magomed Ankalaev def. Alex Pereira via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47×2)
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Jalin Turner via submission: R1, 2.29
In a rematch that proved to be as entertaining as their first fight at UFC 286 two years ago, Justin Gaethje once again was able to edge out Rafael Fiziev on the scorecards, coming out on top in the co-main event of UFC 313.
Fiziev pulled off a sudden takedown in the opening minute. Gaethje was able to explode out of it, but Fiziev landed a knee and got the fight back to the ground, where he troubled “The Highlight” briefly with an inverted triangle. Gaethje worked his way back into the round, but “Ataman” landed more and did a strong job working over his opponent’s body.
Gaethje got back into the fight with more solid output and significant strikes in the second round. This was solidified with about a minute left in the round, dodging a Fiziev punch and throwing a left hand around the Azerbaijani’s head before dropping him with a right uppercut. The former interim champion did some more damage on the ground before the round’s end.
The third round was back-and-forth, with Fiziev taking control early. “Ataman” got back to working the body in the round, landing a series of kicks to Gaethje’s torso. The American ate a bunch early in the frame, but he landed an uppercut and took the fight to the fence briefly. Gaethje took advantage of a gassed Fiziev and landed a series of hard strikes before the fight’s conclusion.
Ultimately, “The Highlight’s” forward pressure and significant strikes in the third were enough for the judges, with all three giving him 29-28 scores for the nod.
Justin Gaethje Edges Out Rafael Fiziev Once Again At UFC 313
29-28 Gaethje. Makhachev vs Gaethje is the title fight to make for International Fight Week! #UFC313
Gaethje back to doing Gaethje things! Awesome fight from both him and Fiziev. Great to see Justin back in the win column and still fighting with that classic, exciting style. #UFC313
Justin Gaethje has now scored three wins in his last four fights and rebounds from being the highlight-reel KO victim of Max Holloway, to whom he lost the BMF title at UFC 300.
Meanwhile, this was Rafael Fiziev’s first fight since tearing his ACL in late 2023. He took this fight on short notice following an injury to Gaethje’s originally scheduled opponent, Dan Hooker.
The main event will see light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira defend his title for the fourth time since capturing it at the expense of Jiří Procházka 16 months ago. To continue his reign, “Poatan” is tasked with spoiling the ambitions of top contender Magomed Ankalaev.
Co-headlining will be former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, who will look to bounce back from his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway last April by once again getting the better of striking specialist Rafael Fiziev.
Elsewhere on the card, entertaining lightweights Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes collide, ex-strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos looks to halt up-and-coming Iasmin Lucindo’s rise, and Fighting Nerds standout Mauricio Ruffy meets King Green.
UFC 313: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 313 event, Thomas Albano, Ryan Jarrell, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through two cards in 2025.
Thomas Albano (6-2) & Pranav Pandey (6-2)
Ryan Jarrell (4-4) & Aakrit Sharma (4-4)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 313.
Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: I want to commend King Green for the run and wins that he continues to have all these years later in the UFC – at the age of 38. But this is a problem fight for him. Mauricio Ruffy and the Fighting Nerds have been the biggest names to watch for this year in the UFC. The team dominated the scene in 2024 and continues to rack up wins and popularity. Ruffy is a dangerous finisher who can give Green, who has finishing ability and power in his own right, trouble. Someone on the Fighting Nerds should be UFC champion within these next couple of years. Mark my words. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Ryan Jarrell: I’ve always been a big fan of Green’s fan-friendly fighting style. He always comes to fight, even if it gets him into a bit of trouble. At some point, Father Time catches up to us all, and I think that time is getting very close for the 26-fight UFC veteran. Ruffy is just 28 years old and is coming into this fight with a ton of momentum and confidence. If he fights smart and doesn’t get dragged into a dog fight, then it’s his fight to lose. Give me the young lion to kick off the PPV card with a win. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Pranav Pandey: This feels like a brutal assignment for the American, and I can’t help but think the matchmakers did him no favors with this one. Green brings swagger to the cage, pairing it with a slick boxing game, but he’s up against a relentless young menace with a knack for finishing fights. Ruffy’s surge is undeniable, and underestimating him would be a mistake. He’s got the power, elite grappling, and a killer instinct to make this a nightmare for Green — and I wouldn’t be surprised if he adds another stoppage to his record. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Aakrit Sharma: Ruffy’s last win against James Llontop was a good showcase of his striking. He has yet another durable opponent in Green, who wouldn’t mind a standup battle for three rounds. The lightweight veteran looked impressive against Jim Miller, but he’s started to struggle against up-and-coming talent or explosive strikers such as Paddy Pimblett, Jalin Turner, and Drew Dober. At 38 years old, I’m not expecting him to get any better skill-wise, and at UFC 313, he’s likely being used to push Ruffy up the rankings and help the McGregor-esque striker become a bigger draw.
All things considered, this should be an easy win for the Brazilian at UFC 313, and I don’t think Green’s ground game is threatening enough to pull off a submission upset. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Consensus: 4-0 Mauricio Ruffy
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Amanda Lemos is going to look for a needed bounce-back victory at UFC 313 after getting submitted by Virna Jandiroba in what some might consider an upset. Lemos is still a top name at 115 pounds but has now lost two of three, which includes an unsuccessful challenge of champion Weili Zhang. Iasmin Lucindo lost her UFC debut but has since won four straight, which includes wins over Polyana Viana, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, and Marina Rodriguez. A win over Lemos would vault her right into one of the names to consider as a top contender.
This is the experience vs. youth battle, and Lucindo may be able to battle for control in grappling situations against Lemos. The former title challenger, however, has power that Lucindo has not come across before, and that could spell trouble for the 23-year-old. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)
Ryan Jarrell: In the fight game, the young usually eats the old. According to the odds, that’s what may happen here. But Lemos still has plenty left in the tank as far as I’m concerned. Yes, she was caught by Jandiroba in her most recent fight. But outside of that, she’s into lost to Weili and Jéssica Andrade. I just don’t think she is done just yet. Give me the veteran to hold off the charging youngster and win a decision. (Prediction: Amanda Lemos)
Pranav Pandey: The all-Brazilian duel I never knew I needed. Lemos, the seasoned veteran, undoubtedly holds the edge in experience, but the scales seem tilted against her in this matchup. The former title challenger is up against a younger, hungrier opponent with heavier hands, slicker grappling, and a growing reputation for dismantling strawweight veterans. If Lucindo can dictate the pace, I believe she’ll take control and make this fight her own. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)
Aakrit Sharma: This is another veteran vs. newcomer matchup in the UFC women’s strawweight division. To be fair, it’s hard to pick who will favor the 14-year age gap more. While Lucindo, 23, has the potential to show up better with every new fight, Lemos has already faced the top competitors of the division and has impressive wins over the likes of Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill. Lucindo is an undeniable prospect with a bright future ahead of her. However, after her last fight, I concluded that her time to grab or fight for the title is still far, and she needs to improve her striking significantly.
Even if she wins this weekend at UFC 313, she’ll be heavily outclassed by the division’s top five, which contains Jéssica Andrade, Tatiana Suarez, and Yan Xiaonan. Her last victory was a split decision that was only granted to her based on control, and she can’t afford to be hit that often against a strong opponent like Lemos. I do think this is a 50-50 fight, but I’ll pick Lucindo because of her activity and constantly improving game. If she feels threatened on the feet, she can take the fight to the ground, and Lemos will likely have a hard time getting back up. (Prediction: Iasmin Lucindo)
Consensus: 2-2
Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: Jalin Turner has lost three of his last four, though those losses have come against some great competition. Ignacio Bahamondes, however, has had a decent rise up the lightweight ranks since coming into the UFC in 2021, with just two losses in his Octagon run so far. Bahamondes has got the momentum, obviously. However, Turner has fought better competition and will have the physical advantage when it comes to his long limbs and lanky body. Bahamondes has shown some weakness in the ground game, and Turner should be smart and try to take advantage of that (especially after the bad fight IQ he displayed against Renato Moicano last year).
Turner’s three losses in his current downward trend aren’t bad considering the names, but four losses in five fights and a defeat in this fight may completely dash any chances of Turner reaching noteworthy contender status in the UFC again. I expect him to pull through with a second-round submission. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Ryan Jarrell: This is an interesting UFC 313 matchup considering the size of these two for the weight class. Both men are six foot three with a 75.5 inch reach. “The Tarantula” is two years older than Bahamondes, and has definitely faced the tougher competition during his tenure in the UFC. I think it’s Turner’s time to make a run. He’s a little older and probably feels the pressure to win now. Bahamondes will be around for years to come, but I am going with the American to get this win. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Pranav Pandey: I think this fight has all the makings of an all-out barnburner. I anticipate a striking-heavy battle, which undoubtedly favors Turner due to his towering reach advantage. However, “La Jaula” arguably possesses the sharper fight IQ — it’s just a matter of whether he can navigate the danger zones without getting tangled in “The Tarantula’s” grappling. With that in mind, Bahamondes is riding a strong wave from back-to-back finishes last year, and if he can find the openings and exploit them with precision, I can see him dishing out serious damage and putting the American through a punishing ordeal. (Prediction: Ignacio Bahamondes)
Aakrit Sharma: Turner looking really good against most of his opponents, including top-ranked fighters, thanks to his power and striking but then losing by a close margin really bugs me. Bahamondes, as good and dangerous on the feet as he is, isn’t a Dan Hooker, Renato Moicano or a Mateusz Gamrot. His submission win over Rongzhu has aged like fine wine, but I don’t see the unranked prospect moving past “The Tarantula” just yet because grappling is not his forte, and Turner is tough as nails on the feet. It’s important to remember that Turner could’ve registered a very impressive KO win over Moicano at UFC 300, and his career trajectory would’ve been completely different. I strongly believe he’s just been unlucky with the matchups and, well, is also competing in the toughest division in the promotion.
It’s unlikely for this fight to hit the ground unless one of the fighters uses it to recover from a knockdown. And because I believe Turner to be a better and more experienced striker, I pick him to win this fight. Both fighters are arguably in their physical primes, and this is easily a FOTN contender for UFC 313. (Prediction: Jalin Turner)
Consensus: 3-1 Jalin Turner
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Images: UFC.com
Thomas Albano: It’s absolutely heartbreaking that injury has cost us what could have been an amazing UFC 313 war between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. But the consolation prize is great as well considering the close encounter these two had in their first fight, with Gaethje coming out on top at UFC 286 in a bout that was one of 2023’s best. Gaethje’s strategy will be more of the same – use leg kicks and combinations to deliver a star-stunning, highlight performance (no play on words intended). While there are questions about him being 36 and coming off the knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, there should be plenty of questions about Fiziev as well.
Fiziev entered the first fight with Gaethje a 12-1 rising star, but he’s now lost two straight, having not fought since injuring his ACL against Mateusz Gamrot. Overall, I feel Fiziev will be able to have a strong effort in his first fight back from injury, but Gaethje’s pressure and striking will give him the taste of victory once again. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)
Ryan Jarrell: Two years later, we are getting a rematch that all combat sports will love. The first fight was very close, with both having their moments. I don’t want to see Gaethje walk off into the sunset anytime soon, but I am starting to wonder how many more fights we will see “The Highlight” compete in. After his lopsided loss to Holloway, it was smart to take time off and not book a fight too soon. Will that rest be enough for the 36-year-old to look like himself in this rematch? I’m not sure it is, so for that reason I’m going with the younger fighter in Fiziev to battle his way to a decision victory in this one. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)
Pranav Pandey: Both fighters have a deep understanding of each other’s arsenals, and that level of exposure breeds a more refined yet relentless brand of controlled mayhem — especially when Gaethje is involved. Their first encounter was razor-close, and this time, the short-notice booking makes it even more exciting. Both men are returning from a loss and an extended hiatus, but it’s “Ataman” who has been out of action for a significantly longer stretch. I believe that layoff could be a crucial factor in this rematch.
On the other hand, “The Highlight” endured a brutal beating in his last outing, and whether the aftermath of that fight still lingers remains to be seen. That said, I think his relentless aggression and spunk — while both a weapon and a liability — give him the edge in this matchup. One thing’s for sure: I don’t see this fight reaching the judges’ scorecards at UFC 313. (Prediction: Justin Gaethje)
Aakrit Sharma: Two things. First, I am in the minority of people who think Fiziev won the first fight due to the first two rounds. He did get battered in the third, but the eye poke from Gaethje definitely played a role in it. Second, Fiziev is more accurate and faster on the feet, which is not a huge surprise considering his kickboxing background. He proved he has all the tools to outstrike “The Highlight” on any day, but the veteran lightweight is as durable as they come, which helped him in the first fight, too. Gaethje, who’s become a very patient and calculated striker at this point, might want to mix things up by utilizing his wrestling in this fight, but as we know it, that’s not how he secures bonuses every time he enters the Octagon.
This fight will also reveal whether Gaethje has truly recovered from the Holloway KO. It is often said that fighters don’t remain the same after such crushing losses, but I still have faith in Gaethje’s ability to turn this into another brawl to be remembered for ages. Fiziev has had quite the time to recover from the knee injury that occurred in the Gamrot bout, and this time around, he’ll likely come to fight with the necessary adjustments against former interim UFC lightweight champ. Instead of trying to take out Gaethje early, it would make more sense for “Ataman” to spend his gas task wisely and keep up the high output of strikes and kicks across all rounds. I predict that he will perform better than UFC 286 and finally become worthy of a title shot. (Prediction: Rafael Fiziev)
Consensus: 2-2
UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Images: @ufc/X & UFC.com
Thomas Albano: After a 2024 campaign that saw him in contention for the Male Fighter of the Year in MMA across various platforms, Alex Pereira looks to continue his dominant run at 205 pounds. He has saved the UFC a number of times with cards over the course of the last year, and now a win against Magomed Ankaleav could very well put him in the running for a potential superfight against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall, if recent comments from Dana White are to be believed.
That said, Ankalaev, despite having his own kind of power, is going to need to utilize his takedowns and wrestling to its greatest potential. The Russian needs to set the pace early and may need to weather an early storm. It’s not what some people want to hear, but he needs to start scoring takedowns from the first round on. The more he can get this fight to the ground, the better the chances he has of walking out a champion. While Ankalaev has power in his leg kicks and his hands, we’ve seen how all Pereira needs to do is land one hook to put someone’s lights out. If Ankalaev is not careful at UFC 313, all it will take is just a mere few seconds for that to happen. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Ryan Jarrell: I keep going back and forth about this one. On paper, I think the safe bet is Pereira to continue his dominance and retain the title. But Ankalaev is a very interesting stylistic matchup for the champion. If this fight stays on the feet, it will be Pereira all day. But if Ankalaev can mix things up and get this fight to the ground, he could pull the upset and become the new champ. With how dominant the champion has been, I just can’t pick “Poatan” to lose his title. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Pranav Pandey: I believe the fight will exceed the expectations of what most are anticipating. That being said, while I think Ankalaev is undeniably a stylistic menace for Pereira, I can’t help but feel a certain frustration with the initial disrespect shown by the oddsmakers toward “Poatan”. Let’s not forget — he’s the reigning champion, and not just any champion, but an undeniable force of dominance. I think it’s crucial to remember that his striking prowess and his ability to control a fight elevate him to an entirely different level.
Ankalaev certainly possesses a well-rounded striking game, with solid reach and the added dimension of a wrestling threat that could pose some problems for Pereira. However, the reality is his takedown skills aren’t quite Khabib Nurmagomedov-esque. While Ankalaev will undoubtedly present challenges, we’ve already seen the blueprint laid out by Jan Błachowicz, who essentially handed every 205-pounder a game plan for neutralizing the Russian’s grappling — by relentlessly attacking his legs with a series of kicks. It’s a strategy that works, and it’s one that Pereira can certainly employ to his advantage.
If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that Pereira is a master at imposing his will on his opponents in ways that go beyond the ordinary with his powerful shots. I firmly believe that the prevailing notion — that Ankalaev is a challenge Pereira has never encountered — misses the mark. Honestly, Pereira presents a challenge Ankalaev has never faced. When all is said and done, I have no doubt that Pereira will rise to the occasion (again). (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Aakrit Sharma: MMA math doesn’t work all the time, but the way Jan Blachowicz was able to trouble Ankalaev with his leg kicks, I can foresee Pereira’s gameplan heading into the UFC 313 main event. Ankalaev’s plan, on the other hand, is a slight mystery as he didn’t show any willingness to grapple against a solid striker like Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. He might’ve been proving a point about being good enough to stand and bang with the champ, but “Poatan” is undeniably miles ahead of the rest of the pack in striking and kickboxing.
The Russian is quick, and Pereira gets hit too, but the champ’s UFC 307 defense against Khalil Rountree made us realize that he has a solid chin at light heavyweight. He’s also fighting after a relatively long break, so I expect him to be in a better state physically. Ankalaev’s grappling advantage is being called the deciding factor for this fight. However, in a heavy division like light heavyweight, grappling exchanges lack the explosiveness, scrambles, agility, and technical intricacies seen in smaller divisions, which explains why upsets like Jiří Procházka submitting Glover Teixeira happen.
So, even with just brute strength and Teixeira’s continued training over the last couple of years, I think Pereira will be able to avert the threat on the ground against Ankalaev. The UFC light heavyweight kingpin also has decent cardio for his age. To win, he should be the one dictating the fight’s pace as usual, and I am picking him to end up with another highlight reel this weekend at UFC 313, as his knockout power is truly special at 205 pounds. (Prediction: Alex Pereira)
Consensus: 4-0 Alex Pereira
That’ll do it for our UFC 313 staff picks! What do you think? Do your predictions look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 313 card below.
Main Card:
Light Heavyweight Championship: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Lightweight: Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Lightweight: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Women’s Strawweight: Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
Lightweight: King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Flyweight: Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
Middleweight: Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
Welterweight: Alex Morono vs. Carlos Leal
Early Preliminary Card:
Featherweight: Mairon Santos vs. Francis Marshall
Featherweight: Chris Gutierrez vs. John Castañeda
Middleweight: Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 313!
Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see a former interim champ in action as Justin Gaethje returns for his first fight since falling to a brutal knockout at the hands of Max Holloway last April. To put himself back into the title conversation, “The Highlight” must repeat his 2023 triumph over Rafael Fiziev, who’s stepped up on late notice to replace the injured Dan Hooker.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of Jalin Turner, Amanda Lemos, Mauricio Ruffy, and Curtis Blaydes.
UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 313 (as of 3/3), courtesy of DraftKings.
The #11-ranked UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev recently took to social media to announce that he has already been accepting fights and dates for his return. “Ataman” has been out of action since September last year where his main event clash at the Apex with Mateusz Gamrot unfortunately ended when he suffered a leg injury in the second round.
It’s been almost 2 weeks since I accepted the date and the opponent. Still waiting to hear back. Can’t wait to get back in the octagon, it’s been too long 👊🏼
With his manager reportedly stating that he had agreed a fight for the promotion’s return to Saudi Arabia in February, many fans hoped that this would mean a match-up with Dustin Poirier who has also spoken about wanting to fight early on in 2025 in one of his final Octagon appearances.
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Fiziev said that though it would be an honor for him to share the cage with “The Diamond”, he doesn’t think that it is likely to happen.
“Many people talking something about Dustin like I see some in internet but it’s good. If I fight Dustin, of course it’s good. He’s a legend, he’s a former champion. Yeah for me, it’s like a miracle if I fight with Dustin but I’m not sure with this.”
Fiziev said in the interview that he has will accept any date that the UFC offer him and would be open to fighting anybody up or down the rankings to get back in the mix. However, he did have one preferred opponent.
“After my last loss against Gamrot, like after I get surgery, I talk with my manager and I tell him ‘Bro, I want to fight this guy.’ I want a rematch because I still want to feel this pressure, like wrestling pressure and grappling pressure. I still want to fight with elite grappler like him and I still want to check myself against wrestlers like him.”
Hooker’s recent success has caught the attention of Fiziev, who, earlier this month, threw down the gauntlet on X by challenging the 34-year-old Kiwi. Fiziev even dubbed the potential matchup a “Fight of the Year contender.”
If me and Mr. Tattoo @danthehangman step into the octagon, I guarantee it’ll be an easy Fight of the Year contender 💥
However, “Ataman’s” ambitions seem to have been tossed into a cold bag by Hooker, who has expressed that he’s no longer interested in the bout…
Hooker Puts Fiziev’s Form Behind Reluctance To Accept The Bout
During a recent interview with ENGAGE, Hooker addressed Fiziev’s fight callout, revealing that he’s not keen on facing the 31-year-old Azerbaijani due to his recent string of losses.
“The Hangman” further explained that he had initially called out “Ataman” for a bout at UFC 305 but Fiziev’s request for more time meant that the opportunity has now passed.
Hooker is now aiming to fight within the top five.
“I don’t want to fight him. I’m not excited for that fight,” Hooker said. “The guy’s coming off two losses. He’s sitting on the shelf. I called him out for the Perth card; I asked him if he wanted to fight on Perth, but he wasn’t ready. Now he’s ready, but that ship has long sailed, mate. That fight does not excite me;. Obviously, it excites him, but I have absolutely nothing to gain from that fight.”
Meanwhile, Fiziev has been on the sidelines for a year following a severe knee injury sustained during his bout against Gamrot in the headliner of a UFC Fight Night event in September 2023.
Prior to that setback, “Ataman” experienced a hard-fought majority decision loss to Gaethje at UFC 286 in March of that yae. This defeat ended his impressive five-fight win streak, a run that featured pivotal victories over Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, and Renato Moicano.
The UFC 272 co-main event between Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev is now off after Fiziev contracted COVID-19.
MMAjournalist Ariel Helwani was the first to report the fight cancellation on The MMA Hour. There is currently no word on if dos Anjos will remain on the UFC 272 card.
Fiziev is currently on a strong run up the lightweight division. He has attained five consecutive wins in the weight class, including two victories from last year.
Previous victories saw him beat notable names like Marc Diakiese and Renato Moicano.
Fiziev joined the UFC roster in 2019. While he lost his UFC debut to Magomed Mustafaev, that bout continues to be his sole loss as a pro.
dos Anjos was looking to return for his first bout since late 2020. He snapped a two-fight skid in his last outing, defeating short-notice opponent Paul Felder via split decision. He was previously scheduled to face Islam Makhachev on that date, but an injury stopped the fight from happening.
MMA News will keep you updated on the status of Rafael dos Anjos for UFC 272 or if this fight will be re-booked for a third time.
UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev earned a highlight knockout over Brad Riddell at UFC Vegas 44, but he felt conflicted after beating his longtime friend.
Fiziev and Riddell are former training partners at Tiger Muay Thai gym in Thailand. While the two agreed to remain friends regardless of the outcome at UFC Vegas 44, Fiziev and Riddell knew their matchup would be a bit unorthodox and uncomfortable.
Fiziev said earlier on UFC Vegas 44 media day that he didn’t anticipate a lot of difference with fighting Riddell as opposed to his past opponents such as Bobby Green. But after securing a vicious head kick knockout over Riddell, he felt mixed emotions about his performance.
“I feel uncomfortable when I started,” Fiziev admitted in the post-fight press conference. “Not too much. I understand this is a real fight. Maybe he would knock me out, but it’s still a little bit uncomfortable.”
Fiziev showed some remorse despite earning arguably the biggest win of his young UFC career.
“I don’t know if I’m sad or I’m happy because it’s not so good when your friend’s like that,” Fiziev continued. “Of course, I’m happy and sad, and happy. I don’t know.”
Rafael Fiziev Has Been On A Roll Since Joining The UFC
With the victory over Riddell, Fiziev has now won five fights in a row since joining the UFC in 2019. After a tough loss to Magomed Mustafaev in 2019, he’s earned dominant wins over the likes of Marc Diakiese, Green, and Renato Carneiro.
Fiziev’s win over Riddell will more than likely propel him further up the lightweight rankings. However, he is still dealing with the emotions of competing against his good friend on the sport’s highest stage.
Who would you like to see Rafael Fiziev fight next?
Brad Riddell vs. Rafael Fiziev was a solid co-headliner with a special finish.
The two fighters met in a bout on Saturday night (December 4) at the UFC Vegas 44 event from Las Vegas, Nevada at the UFC Apex facility..
The first round had a slow start with Riddell being various cautious and not throwing a lot of volume although he was landing some leg kicks. However, Riddell did get in a nice combo to end the frame. They started to let their hands go in the second round. Brad had a cut under right eye and was bleeding from his left temple. Riddell got the brief takedown in the third round, but let him back up. Fiziev finished the fight with a wheel kick.
Peep the highlights of the fight courtesy of the UFC’s official Twitter account:
Riddell entered this fight on a six-fight winning streak with his promotional debut going down at the UFC 243 pay-per-view event where he picked up a decision win over Jamie Mullarkey.
Fiziev entered the fight with a pro-MMA record of 10-1 and was riding a four-fight winning streak including his most recent win over Bobby Green by decision at UFC 265.
Let’s see how the fighters reacted to the outcome of this fight:
