It is a dwell weblog of the light-weight fundamental occasion of the UFC Baku card, Rafael Fiziyev vs. Manuel Torres, which takes place Saturday on the Nationwide Gymnastics Stadium in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Fiziev stays within the prime 15 of the MMA Combating World Rankings at 155 kilos, whereas Torres is seeking to set up himself as an elite in one in all MMA’s deepest divisions.
Azerbaijan’s Fiziyev (13-5) is within the worst state of affairs of his profession, dropping by knockout to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 325 in February, his fourth loss in 5 fights. Previous to this droop, Fiziev had received six straight fights and was effectively on his approach to the title, however misplaced fights to Justin Gaethje, Luffy, and Gamlot, the latter of whom was sidelined for a yr and a half with a knee damage.
Torres (17-3) is trending the opposite manner, coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts of Grant Dawson and Drew Dober. After being signed off Dana White’s Contender Collection In 2021, Torres has received 5 of six UFC fights.
Watch the Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres dwell weblog under.
Properly, let’s examine how a lot Rafael Fiziev has left within the tank. Are his latest losses in elite competitors an indication that he is over the sting, or is he seeking to proper the ship with a battle in opposition to Manuel Torres?
The percentages on FanDuel are utterly even, at -108 for each fighters. Too near name.
Referee Mark Goddard was the third man to enter the cage in the principle occasion.
Fiziev shoots, lands a physique kick and connects with an overhand proper. Torres comes off the cage with a punch. Fiziev backs up whereas staying out of vary. Fiziev modifications ranges and will get a takedown, forcing Torres into the fence and bottom. Torres was capable of get again up rapidly, however landed a knee within the groin, inflicting a pause within the motion. Fiziev, okay.
Torres goes for a jab, however Fizeif counters with an outdoor kick. Torres confidently delivers a jab. Fiziev is now struggling to shut the hole. One other good jab by Torres. Fiziev catches the kick and throws Torres away. He goes to the bottom seeking to do some harm and take the spherical from prime place, however Torres ties up properly and jumps up. Fiziev with a left counter. Torres narrowly misses a knee excessive, however a follow-up punch connects. shut spherical.
Torres received the MMA Combating spherical 10-9.
Oh, Fiziev’s depraved spin kick lands. It gave the impression to be partially blocked, but it surely was sufficient to wobble Torres. Fiziev jumps and throws a flurry of punches. Torres is injured and Fiziev, who’s up prime, fires a fierce follow-up. Goddard has to intervene, that is over!
Official outcome: Rafael Fiziev def. Manuel Torres KO (spin kick, punch) (R2, 0:15)
Fiziev is of course emotional and really pleased. He jokes that he plans to make use of his bonus cash to purchase a Harley-Davidson bike.
He stated he had issues together with his eyes within the first spherical and was seeing double. He was like, “What can I do within the second spherical?” And he simply saved saying that and threw a roundhouse kick. It went fairly effectively.
Subsequent, once I requested him what he wished, he answered, “BMF belt!”
