UFC"Ataman" | Rank 11Rafael Fiziev Record: 14-5-0
LightweightRecord14-5-0
Age33
DivisionLightweight · #29
Combat Edge Elo1730
Last fightJun 27 2026
Rafael Fiziev has a 14-5-0 professional record and is 33 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Tiger Muay Thai. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Rafael Fiziev bio
Personal background
Rafael Fiziev is a Kazakhstani lightweight in the UFC, fighting under the nickname "Ataman" with a professional record of 13-5. Born on March 5, 1993, in Korday, Kazakhstan, to an Azerbaijani father and a Russian mother, he was raised largely in Kyrgyzstan and began Muay Thai around age 11, eventually amassing well over a hundred amateur bouts. He became a decorated striker on the regional and international scene, collecting Kyrgyzstan national Muay Thai titles and competing extensively in Thailand before turning to MMA. Now a cornerstone of the famed Tiger Muay Thai gym in Phuket, the 5'8" lightweight built his reputation on world-class striking, exceptional balance, and the kind of dynamic kicking offense that translates rarely from kickboxing into the cage.
Path to the UFC
Fiziev transitioned to MMA in the mid-2010s and went unbeaten on the regional circuit, fighting for promotions such as Road FC and Titan FC before signing with the UFC. His Octagon arrival was rough – a first-round TKO loss to Magomed Mustafaev in his 2019 debut, caught by a spinning back kick and punches. It was a sharp early lesson, and the only blemish on the first chapter of his UFC run.
UFC rise
From there Fiziev reeled off one of the more impressive winning streaks in the lightweight division. He rebounded with a 2019 decision over Alex White, then beat Marc Diakiese in 2020 before announcing himself as a contender with a first-round knockout of Renato Moicano at UFC 256. He outpointed veteran King Green in 2021, then produced a signature highlight: a spinning-wheel-kick knockout of Brad Riddell in December 2021 that ranks among the best finishes of his career. He capped the run in 2022 with a fifth-round knockout of former champion Rafael dos Anjos in a five-round main event, vaulting him into the division's elite.
Top-contender battles
The step up to the very top produced grueling, close fights. Fiziev dropped a razor-thin majority decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in 2023, then suffered a serious knee injury that forced a TKO stoppage against Mateusz Gamrot later that year. He returned in 2025 and lost the Gaethje rematch by unanimous decision, but bounced back with a unanimous-decision win over Ignacio Bahamondes in June 2025. A 2026 TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325 was his most recent setback.
Fighting style
Fiziev is one of the most technically gifted strikers in the lightweight division, a Muay Thai craftsman whose 8 knockouts among 13 wins and 69% finish rate are built on precision, timing, and spectacular kicking offense – the spinning wheel kick that finished Brad Riddell is emblematic. His balance and footwork make him difficult to take down and dangerous in every exchange. The honest counterpoint is durability against the division's hardest hitters: all three of his stoppage losses have come by knockout or TKO, and his toughest fights against top contenders have gone the distance or ended on the wrong side of a slim margin.
Career highlights
- Fifth-round KO of Rafael dos Anjos — stopped the former champion Rafael dos Anjos in a 2022 main event to enter the elite.
- Spinning-wheel-kick knockout — finished Brad Riddell in 2021 with one of the most spectacular kicks in division history.
- Contender-making KO of Renato Moicano — a first-round knockout of Renato Moicano at UFC 256 launched his rise up the rankings.
Career snapshot
Rafael Fiziev career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1730Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#218
Lightweight#29of 201 active
Peak1751
Last move+20
Opponent quality1744avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1751 Elo after defeating Rafael dos Anjos (2022-07-09)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Rafael Fiziev quick answers
What is Rafael Fiziev's record?
Rafael Fiziev's professional MMA record is 14-5-0.
How old is Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev is 33 years old.
What weight class is Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev fights at Lightweight in UFC.
How tall is Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev is 5'8" tall with a 71" reach.
How much does Rafael Fiziev weigh?
Rafael Fiziev competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Rafael Fiziev's Combat Edge Elo?
Rafael Fiziev's Combat Edge Elo is 1730, with a peak Elo of 1751.
How strong is Rafael Fiziev's recent opposition?
Rafael Fiziev's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1744 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Rafael Fiziev's last fight?
Rafael Fiziev's latest tracked pro fight was against Manuel Torres at UFC Fight Night on Jun 27 2026.
What is Rafael Fiziev's recent form?
Rafael Fiziev's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-L-L over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Rafael Fiziev usually win?
Rafael Fiziev's 14 recorded wins include 9 knockouts, 1 submissions, and 4 decisions, with 71% ending before the final bell.
9Wins by knockout
1Wins by submission
4Wins by decision
3Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
2Loss by decision
Rafael Fiziev stats
Record : 14 / 5 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
4.71Fighter3.07Division average
Significant striking accuracy
53%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
4.84Fighter3.89Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
50%Fighter53%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.83Fighter1.59Division average
Takedown accuracy
67%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
90%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0Fighter0.66Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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