Rafael Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev (born 5 March 1993 in Korday, Kazakhstan) is an Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC lightweight division, known by his nickname "Ataman" (Commander in Azerbaijani). He is regarded as one of the most technically gifted and exciting strikers in MMA, currently ranked #13 in the world at lightweight.

Early Life

Born in Korday, in Kazakhstan's Jambyl Region, to an Azerbaijani father who was an undercover police officer and a Russian mother. When he was a child, the family moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. His father gave him and his cousins boxing gloves as children to spar, and Fiziev took up Muay Thai at age eleven after being bullied at school. He became a three-time Kyrgyzstan Muay Thai Champion and represented Kyrgyzstan internationally, winning a bronze medal at the 2016 IFMA World Championships.

Muay Thai Career

He built an extensive Muay Thai record of 39 wins (29 by knockout) fighting across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and internationally. He trained at Phuket Top Team and later Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand, establishing Phuket as his primary residence. He became known for a viral "Matrix"-style head movement to avoid a devastating head kick — a moment that spread across the internet and preceded his MMA career.

MMA Career and UFC

He made his professional MMA debut in 2015, going 6-0 in Asian regional promotions before signing with the UFC in 2019. In the UFC, he has become one of the most entertaining performers on the roster, earning multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. His most notable performances include a fifth-round KO of former champion Rafael dos Anjos (2022), a brutal Fight of the Night war with Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in London (2023), and winning UFC Fight Night 280 — headlined in his adopted home city of Baku, Azerbaijan — with a spectacular spinning wheel kick KO of Manuel Torres in June 2026.

Faith and Identity

A devout Twelver Shia Muslim, Fiziev's walkout song is a Latmiya — a traditional Shia devotional chant. In 2021, he announced he would no longer represent Kyrgyzstan due to the country's religious discrimination against Shia Muslims, and has since represented Azerbaijan when competing. His faith is central to his public identity and he speaks openly about how Islam guides his approach to competition and life.