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Rafael Fiziev is officially back in action! The UFC lightweight contender has been cleared for a return after a long recovery from a torn ACL, suffered during his UFC Vegas 79 against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023. Now fully recovered, Fiziev is ready for his next fight, and he has a few opponents in mind.
Reflecting on his recovery, Fiziev shared with MMA Fighting,
“Recovery has been going good. I had surgery right after the fight, and now, almost a year later, my knee feels great. I’m back to full training, sparring, and doing everything in the gym without limitations.”
Despite his time on the sidelines, Fiziev currently ranked No. 10 in the UFC lightweight division, is hungry to get back into the octagon before the year ends. He’s been keeping a close eye on the division, and what’s surprised him most is the lack of callouts.
“Why did nobody call me to fight?” Fiziev questioned. “I’m No. 10, or No. 9 now, and nobody is saying, ‘Let’s fight.’ I’m waiting.”
Fiziev is no stranger to adversity. He’s bounced back from a similar injury before and is now more motivated than ever. However, he’s not pleased with his 2023 record of 0-2, which included a tough loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. The losing streak doesn’t sit well with him, but Fiziev is determined to turn things around.
When it comes to potential opponents, Fiziev has set his sights on two names: Beneil Dariush and Dan Hooker.
“I want to fight Beneil because he hasn’t fought in a while, and we both need to prove our place in the division,” Fiziev explained.
He’s equally excited about a potential showdown with Hooker, stating,
“If we fight, it’s going to be holy hell in the cage.”
Fiziev is also eager for a rematch with Gamrot, believing he can outshine the Polish fighter. The UFC lightweight is ready to face anyone who steps up, but his focus is clear: he’s coming back stronger, and he’s ready to make his mark.
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