Rafael Fiziev became top UFC contender by stunning former champion with late knockout

Rafael Fiziev has just booked the greatest fight of his life on a 10 -day notification.

The lightweight competition will be Justin Gaethje Rematchen in a three-round Co-Main event on UFC 313 on March 8.

Rafael Fiziev got the fight after Hoker had withdrawn because he broke his hand in sparring earlier this week.

Five bigger names rejected a late-note call-up before Fiziev had the chance to pick up his first victory, because he announced sensational as a title threat by eliminating the former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Rafael Fiziev vs Rafael Dos Anjos Revisited

Fiziev had a 11-1 MMA record by the time he was booked to be confronted with Rafael Dos Anjos in July 2022.

The 31-year-old had won five fights in a row since he fell in his UFC debut against Magomed Mustafaev.

Renato Moicano was eliminated and Brad Riddell was stopped with a rotating wheel shovel during Fiziev's sensational 155 pounds title costs, including a unanimous decision victory over multi -year competition Bobby Green.

All this was enough to earn him a five-round main event against an ex-champion in a winning series.

Dos Anjos defeated Micano and Paul Felder before he was linked to the Kazakhstani Knockout artist.

It was a collision of styles when Fiziev established an early lead with his slick striking and impressive removal.

As the fight progressed, Dos Anjos began to get some success with his grab attacks, which gave him a foot on the ground in the fight on the way to the fifth round after all three judges scored the fourth frame in his favor.

In the end, Fiziev proved that he was the real deal by closing the show for only 18 seconds in the final round.

A huge left hand shook Dos Anjos badly and he tumbled to the floor before he took two more punches.

The referee quickly stepped in to save him and Fiziev drove away to celebrate a breakout victory game.

Rafael Fiziev's UFC -Hiatus

Fiziev has not tasted the victory in the Octagon since beating DOS Anjos almost three years ago.

Gaethje released him with a majority decision when they succeeded in UFC 286 in March 2023.

A knee injury during his September 2023 fight with Mateusz Gamrot put Fiziev on a two-way skid.

It was later confirmed that he had suffered a torn ACL and would be out of operation for a considerable time.

Fiziev was acquitted to return a year later, but he had trouble booking an opponent for his comeback.

A rematch with gamrot became rumors before he insured a much larger fight with Gaethje on UFC 313.