Rafael Fiziev thinks a fight for a UFC belt could be in reach, but it won’t be the lightweight title.
Fiziev (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), a long-time contender at 155 pounds, thinks he’s far from challenging for the UFC undisputed lightweight title, but not so far for challenging for the “Baddest Motherf*cker” belt.
Following his TKO win over Manuel Torres (17-4 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 280 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in front of his home fans, Fiziev gave some insight as to how he sees his standing in the division, now ruled by Justin Gaethje – who has two wins over Fiziev.
“I’m far away from the champion,” Fiziev said at the UFC Fight Night 280 post-fight press conference. “For sure, non (title shot for me). I don’t like to talk about miracle stuff. I’m far away from (Gaethje), but I think I don’t have a bad name for BMF, maybe?”
Fiziev and Charles Oliveira, former UFC lightweight champion who currently holds the BMF belt, were supposed to fight in October 2025 in Brazil, but unfortunately for Fiziev, he sustained an injury that left him out of the bout. Now healthy, Fiziev sees Oliveira as a viable option for him next.
“Maybe BMF, because we have a bit of a story with Charles,” Fiziev said.
As far as his hometown showing, Fiziev was able to bounce back from his KO loss to Mauricio Ruffy in January. He felt a sense of danger in facing another KO artist in Torres, and that’s why defense was a non-negotiable for this bout.
“My teammate, my corner told me, ‘Bro, put your left hand high, your chin down, and that’s it,’ and I followed that,” Fiziev said. “I remember that in these rounds. When you step in front of a strong guy like him, he throws hard punches. He caought me a caouple of times. I feel it. But he gave me good advice to put chin down, left hand more high and I followed that. If I didn’t follow that, maybe he get me after fight extra punches.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Rafael Fiziev wants BMF title with UFC lightweight belt too far away
