Rafael Fiziev isn’t pretending to be next in line for the UFC lightweight championship. Instead, the Azerbaijani fan favorite has another prize in mind. Fresh off an impressive second-round TKO victory over Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Fight Night 280, Fiziev believes a shot at the UFC’s BMF title may be the opportunity that makes the most sense for his next fight.
Rafael Fiziev delivered a memorable performance in front of his home crowd in Baku, Azerbaijan, but acknowledged that he isn’t expecting an immediate title shot at lightweight.
Current UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje owns two victories over Fiziev, making another championship opportunity difficult to justify at this stage. “I’m far away from the champion,” Fiziev said during the post-fight press conference. “For sure, no title shot for me. I don’t like to talk about miracle stuff.”
While he doesn’t see himself in the lightweight title picture just yet, Fiziev believes another championship could be within reach.
BMF Belt Now the Target
Rather than chasing undisputed gold, Fiziev has his sights set on the BMF championship currently held by former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
“I think I don’t have a bad name for BMF, maybe?” Fiziev said. The matchup already carries unfinished business. Fiziev and Oliveira were originally scheduled to fight in Brazil in October 2025 before an injury forced Fiziev to withdraw.
Now healthy and back in the win column, Fiziev believes the fight makes even more sense. “Maybe BMF, because we have a bit of a story with Charles,” he added.
Defensive Adjustments Made the Difference
Saturday’s victory also marked an important rebound for Fiziev after suffering a knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy earlier this year. Facing another dangerous striker in Manuel Torres, Fiziev said his coaching staff stressed defensive discipline throughout the fight.
“My teammate, my corner told me, ‘Bro, put your left hand high, your chin down, and that’s it,’ and I followed that,” Fiziev explained. “I remember that in these rounds. When you step in front of a strong guy like him, he throws hard punches. He caught me a couple of times. I feel it. But he gave me good advice to put my chin down, left hand higher, and I followed that.”
Fiziev admitted those adjustments may have been the difference between victory and defeat. “If I didn’t follow that, maybe he got me after a few extra punches.”
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