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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Fiziev has home-field advantage — and the pressure to go with it — at UFC's Azerbaijan event
When he was in his 20s, Rafael Fiziev was running in the tall clover. He'd won six straight fights (with five performance bonuses), and was building a head of steam toward a lightweight title shot when the UFC did him the courtesy of matching him against Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. With Gaethje having lost two of his last three, this was meant to be a catapult for Fiziev. A win would have thrown him into the upper reaches of the division. To borrow from the world of pro wrestling, it was the moment Fiziev was supposed to get over. Advertisement It didn't work out like that. Fiziev, who turned 30 just a week before that first Gaethje encounter, came away looking like the lone survivor of a slasher film. His face was a proverbial crimson mask. There were gashes above and under his eyes. His nose was purple. He found out firsthand what it means to visit the Gaethje wheelhouse, an experience he would reprise two years later at UFC 313, with a loss to Mateusz Gamrot sandwiched in between. Now at 32, he gets another crack at it when he fights Ignacio Bahamondes at Saturday's UFC on ABC event in Baku, Azerbaijan. It's his chance to build back up to where he was before all the trouble began. 'Yes, I left three fights,' Fiziev says. 'I lost that first fight with Justin. The second fight [against Gamrot], I have injury. I just hurt my knee, the ligaments in my knee, I couldn't do anything with this. My knee is done. Then the third fight with Justin is short notice, one week notice, because [before that] I cannot find the fighter who wants to fight me, who can say yes against me. 'So yeah, sad for the three losses, but this is not like somebody knocked me out three times. I have three [losses], I have two bonuses, and the fight with Gamrot, where I cannot do anything because my body just … ' Advertisement Here Fiziev can't help but shrug, as perhaps he better than anybody understands the chaotic elements of fighting. He can't make things in the rearview mirror appear closer to him than is altogether necessary. 'I understand,' he says. 'I am a strong guy. I have a good striking, I have a good wrestling, and I have a big heart. I really love this. I'm enjoying when I'm fighting and yeah, [these] three [losses] is nothing for me.' There was a time when Fiziev felt somewhat inevitable as a title contender at 155 pounds. The beating he put on Renato Moicano might've been the first to turn some heads, but the crisp boxing that overwhelmed Brad Riddell before a spinning wheel kick put him away felt like a declaration that Fiziev was coming. He was a perfect example of a fighter who blended superior technique with a brawler's mentality, which adds up to a fun viewing experience. Advertisement And he was taking it to Gaethje in that first fight, too. The fight was a back-and-forth war that ended in a majority decision in Gaethje's favor. Part of what has made Fiziev must-see TV is that at times he can throw caution to the wind, a feast or famine approach which has ultimately cost him on his recent slide. 'I have a big ego,' Fiziev says. 'I always want to show myself. I always want to show for myself and the beauty. And I love this business so much and I know when I watch a fight, I want to watch a good fight. I don't want a boring fight. I don't like when fighters stay [a] long time, and fighters don't risk so much. I don't like it so much when I watch those fights. 'So when I go to the cage, what I don't like I try avoid in my fights. And also, I love it. I just love it. When I go to the cage, I really love it. I've felt like that since 11 years old, and I think I have these bonuses and all of this, all the things people [are] saying, I think it's just because I have loved it. I really love it, and I want to show myself to people how much I love the fight.' If circumstances haven't exactly been on Fiziev's side since that first Gaethje encounter, that appears to be about to change this weekend on the UFC's first visit to Azerbaijan, the country Fiziev represents. Advertisement This is a tailor-made event for Fiziev, and it's a big one that's airing live on ABC in the U.S. As a kind of modern-day nomad who has spent time training at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, he was born in Kazakhstan and spent much of his childhood in Kyrgyzstan. This is a part of the world that wants to see a UFC belt of its own reflecting off the Caspian Sea. But the situation this time around is also a little different. Rafael Fiziev will have the crowd on his side at UFC on ABC in Azerbaijan, but pressure is mounting on him to move into a top contender spot. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images) (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters) This time it's Fiziev who is in desperate need of a victory if he hopes to stay in proximity to that title. And it's the 27-year-old Bahamondes who arrives with the idea of stealing his capital as a contender. The crowd at the Baku Crystal Hall will be on Fiziev's side. Friends and family will be in attendance. The roof will come off the place if he starches Bahamondes the way he did Rafael Dos Anjos in his last victory. Advertisement There's a lot riding on a single fight, but then there always is. 'I'm really excited — I really like this because I'm going to fight front of my people in my homeland and all of my people can watch me live in real life,' Fiziev says. 'In Azerbaijan we have support for each other. We in Azerbaijan love to support each other and I can't wait to fight front of my people.' As for the pressure that comes with fighting in front of your countrymen? 'Many people, many families, friends, they want to meet me, they want to hang out with me,' he says. 'They want have some time with me, but I tell everybody like, 'Hey guys, look, I'm here on the fight. I have to stay in my room with my team, do what I have to do.' 'So no, no pressure, no pressure [from that] at all, because just being fighters comes with pressure. I just tell myself what I'm feeling, but I think many fighters do agree with me — we have pressure only about one thing: We don't want to lose. But all the other things, it's second, third, fourth. So I don't want a loss. I want to show a good fight and I don't want to lose.'
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jiri Prochazka: People will stop taking 'big mouth guy' Magomed Ankalaev seriously
Jiri Prochazka: People will stop taking 'big mouth guy' Magomed Ankalaev seriously Jiri Prochazka thinks UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev is talking too much. Since dethroning Alex Pereira to become champion at UFC 313, Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) has been active on social media, going after both "Poatan" and Jiri Prochazka for turning down a title fight against him at UFC 317. Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has opted to prioritize his studies, which Ankalaev mocked him for. "Alex Pereira don't want the Ank anymore. Let's leave him alone because I'm not a bully: Fake ninja he said he have to go back to school because he cannot read @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 give me some fish." The former UFC light heavyweight champion has no regrets putting university over the title fight. "I'm studying university for right now – three years. Everything is settled – this magister, everything is settled. Everything is good," Prochazka said in an interview with Full Violence. "I'm after the (Ankalaev) fight, it's a little bit of time. So right now, I'm focused for this target. My life is just about targets. What is most important right now, the priorit?. Right now, that's school." Prochazka isn't amused with Ankalaev's verbal jabs, and thinks he's shooting himself in the foot with his approach. "He's a big mouth guy," Prochazka said of Ankalaev. "I really don't care (if it's him or his manager), because he did enough to stop people from taking him seriously. This is not how the champ has to speak. He will put himself down just by this nonsense talking." Still unsure if Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) will get his title-fight rematch with Ankalaev, Prochazka is just looking to compete within the next couple of months – but his eyes remain on the prize. "August, October, something like that," Prochazka said of his return. "My manager is trying to keep negotiating this fight with Ankalaev. Let's see if Pereira will fight with him. I will fight him or with somebody else, but I'm focused on Ankalaev after that."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC's Jamahal Hill: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch 'really up in the air'
After a spot-on prediction for the first fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, Jamahal Hill has given his take on the potential rematch. Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) dethroned Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) to claim the light heavyweight title at UFC 313, and the pair are expected to run things back later in the year. Not only did Hill predict an Ankalaev win at UFC 313, but he detailed how Ankalaev's striking would be slept on in the matchup. Advertisement Having lost to Pereira by knockout at UFC 300, many accused Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) of being a salty competitor. However, Hill's prediction proved to be accurate, with Ankalaev outstriking and even stumbling Pereira on the feet. "I will say people were thinking I was hating, which is crazy," Hill told MMA Junkie. "I just try to be real and authentic and say things the way that I see them and speak on how I feel. I guess realness rubs people the wrong way sometimes, I guess? So, it is what it is. I think there's adjustments that can be made by Alex that aren't huge adjustments. "He could change that fight and turn that fight around, but at the same time, there are also adjustments that Ankalaev can make that can make him win more convincingly and more dominantly. So, I think it's really, really up in the air. It's like who pinpoints these things and who makes those adjustments. That's what it's going to come down to ultimately." Many fighters such as Michael Chiesa, Anthony Smith, Dustin Poirier, and most recently Stephen Thompson have served as analysts on the ESPN desk. With Hill providing extensive and well thought out breakdowns on his YouTube channel, he also hopes to make the transition some day. Advertisement "It's a job, and it's a job that pays and something that I enjoy doing," Hill said. "I got my YouTube channel where I do breakdowns. I haven't done any recently because I've been busy with my own thing to get ready and locked in for the fight. "I've been in camp. I've been wanting to spend time with family and things like that. But yeah, it's definitely something that I'd like to do. Just being able to talk about fights, break down dialogue about it, just throw out different theories and ideas of how I see it, seeing somebody else's way of how they might see it. I love that." Former champion Hill will look to re-enter the title picture when he meets Khalil Rountree in Saturday's UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jamahal Hill predicts Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Alex Pereira offers UFC Baku prediction for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree
Alex Pereira offers UFC Baku prediction for Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Two of former UFC champion Alex Pereira's most recent wins have come over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree, who will look to rebound against each other. Light heavyweights Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Rountree (13-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) square off in Saturday's UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan. Hill was knocked out by Pereira in the first round of their title fight at UFC 300. Meanwhile, Rountree won the first two rounds of his title fight against "Poatan" at UFC 307 before getting battered in a fourth-round TKO loss. Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) gave his prediction for the fight. "They're both great fighters and well rounded," Pereira told the UFC. "I fought them both, so I can say something more accurate. They're both dangerous, but I think (judging) by my fight against Khalil, I see him having some advantage against Jamahal. That's my opinion." After defending his light heavyweight title for a third time against Rountree, Pereira was dethroned by Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March. He is expected to get an immediate title-fight rematch against Ankalaev next, but their matchup is yet to be made official.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Jamahal Hill: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch 'really up in the air'
UFC's Jamahal Hill: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira rematch 'really up in the air' After a spot-on prediction for the first fight between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, Jamahal Hill has given his take on the potential rematch. Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) dethroned Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) to claim the light heavyweight title at UFC 313, and the pair are expected to run things back later in the year. Not only did Hill predict an Ankalaev win at UFC 313, but he detailed how Ankalaev's striking would be slept on in the matchup. Having lost to Pereira by knockout at UFC 300, many accused Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) of being a salty competitor. However, Hill's prediction proved to be accurate, with Ankalaev outstriking and even stumbling Pereira on the feet. "I will say people were thinking I was hating, which is crazy," Hill told MMA Junkie. "I just try to be real and authentic and say things the way that I see them and speak on how I feel. I guess realness rubs people the wrong way sometimes, I guess? So, it is what it is. I think there's adjustments that can be made by Alex that aren't huge adjustments. "He could change that fight and turn that fight around, but at the same time, there are also adjustments that Ankalaev can make that can make him win more convincingly and more dominantly. So, I think it's really, really up in the air. It's like who pinpoints these things and who makes those adjustments. That's what it's going to come down to ultimately." Many fighters such as Michael Chiesa, Anthony Smith, Dustin Poirier, and most recently Stephen Thompson have served as analysts on the ESPN desk. With Hill providing extensive and well thought out breakdowns on his YouTube channel, he also hopes to make the transition some day. "It's a job, and it's a job that pays and something that I enjoy doing," Hill said. "I got my YouTube channel where I do breakdowns. I haven't done any recently because I've been busy with my own thing to get ready and locked in for the fight. "I've been in camp. I've been wanting to spend time with family and things like that. But yeah, it's definitely something that I'd like to do. Just being able to talk about fights, break down dialogue about it, just throw out different theories and ideas of how I see it, seeing somebody else's way of how they might see it. I love that." Former champion Hill will look to re-enter the title picture when he meets Khalil Rountree in Saturday's UFC on ABC 8 (ABC, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
