UFC Fight Night: Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres Preview & Prediction
Lightweight staple, Rafael Fiziev takes on dangerous finisher, Manuel Torres, in a potential changing of the guard moment at 155 pounds in the main event.
Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres facts
What time are Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? National Gymnastics Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 280
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres main card
Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres (Lightweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michel Pereira (Middleweight)
Nazim Sadykhov vs Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)
Asu Almabayev vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Ikram Aliskerov vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres prelims
Farman Hasanov vs Eric Nolan (Welterweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
Kaan Ofli vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Daniil Donchenko vs Theodor Berggren (Welterweight)
Bekzat Almakhan vs Jean Matsumoto (Bantamweight)
Tahir Abdullayev vs Jefferson Nascimento (Welterweight)
Rafael Fiziev: What does "Ataman" have left in the tank?
Serving as the striking coach at the renowned Tiger Muay Gym in Thailand, Rafael Fiziev (12-5) remains one of the best technical stand up artists at 155 pounds. Blending his superb Muay Thai into his wider MMA game, “Ataman” is a textbook striker, firing tight hooks and chopping vicious kicks to the body and legs. Despite losing his debut in a huge upset, Fiziev broke into the rankings courtesy of a six fight win streak that saw him earn five Performance bonuses along the way, but he’s struggled as he’s run into the elite of the division. The Azerbaijan native is 1-4 since his electric surge towards the Top 10, with just a single victory over Ignacio Bahamondes during this barren stretch. He’s coming off a rough loss to fellow elite lightweight striker, Mauricio Ruffy, losing by TKO in January.
Manuel Torres: Will "Loco" add to his tally of five first round UFC finishes?
Posting a record of 5-1 with five first round finishes and Performance bonuses since graduating to the promotion via the Contender Series, Manuel Torres (17-3) has established himself as one of the division’s premiere finishers. A powerful, rangy striker with just a single victory by decision, Torres is as dangerous on the ground as he is on the feet, with nine victories by KO and seven by submission to his name. A rough first round TKO defeat to Ignacio Bahamondes at the Sphere looked to have slowed his momentum only for Torres to rally with the most impressive performances of his career, taking out Drew Dober and Grant Dawson with back to back KOs.
Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres prediction
This is a really tough fight to call.
On paper, Fiziev’s striking acumen and experience against higher level competition means that he should take this. “Ataman” may be just 1-4 across his last five, but he gave Justin Gaethje all he could handle twice and only lost to Mateusz Gamrot after a desperately unfortunate early leg injury. His loss to Ruffy was the first time that somebody completely outclassed him and he schooled Ignacio Bahamondes immediately prior to that; a fighter who incidentally slept Torres in less than a round.
With that being said, there’s a solid chance that he gets chinned again here. Fiziev was soundly beaten in his last fight, and Torres has been on an absolute tear since joining the promotion, earning first round finishes in every UFC fight outside of his loss to Bahamondes. He’s beaten increasingly better opposition as he’s progressed and looked excellent in doing so; KOing Drew Dober is no mean feat and Grant Dawson had only ever been knocked out by Bobby Green under the UFC banner prior to running into “Loco.” He’s got a big size advantage and hits like a truck, with a nasty submission game in his back pocket to boot.
However, it’s hard to escape the feeling that Torres has to win by stoppage in the first round or Fiziev will eventually take over. “Loco” is good, but he has yet to prove that he’s on the level of a Mauricio Ruffy. This could well prove to be the moment that the wheels fall off irrevocably for “Ataman” but we’re going with Fiziev to craft his way to a decision.
Prediction: Rafael Fiziev to win by decision
