Las Vegas, NV — Rafael Fiziev secured a finish of Rafael Fiziev in the fifth round at UFC Vegas 58, and did so with a tummy ache.
“I eat today, some pasta with tomato [sauce], and f*cking my stomach is hurting. And always when he touched my stomach, I feel like, ‘awwww’ and I push him for breath a little bit,” Fiziev said following the fight.
So, maybe no heavy pasta meals before fights in future. But Fiziev (12-1) did learn that he’s capable of going five rounds, as tiring as it was. He also believes he showed, despite his reputation as world class striker, that his wrestling is better than expected.
“My wrestling is not so bad, like everyone thinks. Because my wrestling, I [work on it] every day,” said Fiziev. “I’m ready. I’m ready, if somebody takes me down, I’m ready to stand up. He takes me down again, I’m ready to stand up again.”
Fiziev, who called the fight with dos Anjos a dream fight ahead of UFC Vegas 58, said the bout lived up to his expectations — including a very tough RDA. “He beat my face,” Fiziev admitted. “Look at my face.”
Now representing Azerbaijan, his “roots counry,” Fiziev wants another tough fight next. “I want to fight with [Justin] Gaethje.” Jokes about fighting tennis star Rafael Nadal aside, Fiziev threw down the gauntlet.
“Gaethje, if you want to fight, you yellow guy, yellow guy with yellow hairs. We need to know who is the best. That’s a good match for you and for me. If you’re ready, if you’re not scared, if you don’t take a sh*t, let’s go.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 58 post-fight press appearance from Rafael Fiziev above.
