Rafael Fiziev

AJ DeVito is extremely confident in Manuel Torres to upset Rafael Fiziev, calling it his lock of the week. He believes Torres is a stylistic nightmare for Fiziev due to his quick gap-closing and heavy hands, and questions Fiziev's durability after recent knockout losses. He notes Torres' submission threat as a secondary option but expects a KO. He also discusses various prop bets including Torres by finish, KO, submission, and round props, but ultimately prefers the moneyline at plus money.

AJ picks Torres to win by finish, citing his pressure, hand speed, and power. He thinks Fiziev is on a decline, too hittable, and that Torres will close the distance and land big shots. AJ expects a first-round knockout or a club-and-sub, noting Torres' submission threat.

AJ picks Torres by finish, citing his power, pressure, and underrated grappling. He thinks Fiziev has shown signs of slowing down and that Torres's jiu-jitsu is superior. He expects Torres to force a stoppage, possibly by submission or TKO.

AJ picks Torres by knockout, citing his devastating power and blitzing style. Fiziev is coming off a KO loss and may struggle with Torres' pressure. Torres' submission threat is also live. The matchup favors Torres' close-range aggression over Fiziev's kickboxing.

Angelo picks Fiziev after flipping from Torres, citing that Fiziev's recent losses are to elite fighters (Gamrot, Ruffy) and that he is the better striker. He notes Fiziev's chin is questionable but believes he can fight smart at home and outpoint Torres.

Angelo initially doubted Fiziev due to his fading chin, but after seeing Justin Gaethje's performance, he reversed his pick. He believes Fiziev is the better striker and wrestler, and that Torres' win over Grant Dawson is not comparable to Fiziev's losses to Gaethje and Ruffy. He hopes Fiziev's chin holds up and notes that Fiziev has flipped to a slight favorite at -115.

Angelo is fine with Fiziev winning and picked him, but acknowledges Manuel Torres as a solid underdog with random power and slick grappling. He notes Fiziev's losses are to top fighters like Gaethje and Ruffy, and a broken leg against Gamrot, while Torres may not be ready for that level.

Big Brady picks Manuel Torres to win by first-round knockout. He notes Torres is a 'kill or be killed' fighter with 19 first-round finishes in 20 fights, possessing massive power. Fiziev is the more technical striker but has taken damage, has a questionable chin after being knocked out by Ruffy, and may be on the decline. Brady thinks Torres catches him early, though he acknowledges Fiziev could win if he survives the first round.

Cody picks Fiziev, citing his body of work and home-field advantage in Azerbaijan. He acknowledges Torres's power and danger in the first round but believes Fiziev's experience and skill edge will prevail if he survives the early onslaught. He notes the fight is low on his betting priority list.

Daniel Levi leans towards Fiziev because he has proven more at the upper echelon, has more ways to win including mixing in takedowns, and his power has translated deep into fights (e.g., fifth-round KO of RDA). He acknowledges Torres's dangerous first-round power and size but questions his durability past round one and his level of competition. Levi is low-key rooting for Torres but wants to see how he handles an extended war.

Jacob picks Torres by KO, citing his tape study showing Fiziev is susceptible to a long 1-2 combination. He thinks Torres' blitzing style and round 1 aggression will overwhelm Fiziev, who has been dropped before. He expects an early finish.

Lucrative James picks Fiziev because he believes Fiziev is a much higher level striker than Torres, with better patience, volume, and technical kicking. He notes that Fiziev has fought and beaten better competition, and that Torres has not been outside round one since 2018, giving Fiziev a cardio and experience advantage in later rounds. He also points to the common opponent Ignacio Bahamondes, who knocked out Torres but was clearly outpointed by Fiziev. However, he acknowledges Torres has more power and is on an upward trajectory while Fiziev has wear and tear.

The host believes Fiziev's hard-nosed Muay Thai striking and experience will allow him to find openings and counter Torres, leading to a big knockout win for Fiziev in front of his home country.

Fiziev's hard-nosed Muay Thai and speed will allow him to counter Torres' aggression. Torres makes mistakes and trusts his power too much. Fiziev can eat a shot and land his own counters, hurting Torres and eventually putting him away by knockout.

Paul picks Fiziev but is hesitant, noting Fiziev's age and wear from a long career with many fights. He worries about Fiziev's durability after the Ruffy KO and thinks his best days are behind him. However, he values Fiziev's back class and experience over Torres's unknown durability and cardio, and expects Fiziev to win a competitive fight.

Angelo picks Rafael Fiziev, stating he is the better traditional striker and has shown he can wrestle and grapple, which is a key advantage. He notes that Ruffy is creative and powerful but was frozen by takedowns in his last fight. Fiziev has dog in him and made adjustments in his last fight. Angelo sees value at minus 115 given their resumes.

Big Brady slightly leans toward Maurício Ruffy in a close striker's delight. He notes Fiziev has slowed down in the third round historically and didn't look great against Gachi after injury. Ruffy is a high-level striker with flashy spinning attacks and won't fade. Brady sees it as a 29-28 split decision either way, but expects Ruffy to take over late.

Cody believes Fiziev is undervalued as a slight underdog. He criticizes Ruffy's reliance on flashy knockouts and low volume, noting that Ruffy was outstruck by James Llontop and only landed 3 significant strikes before his wheel kick KO of Bobby Green. He praises Fiziev's veteran savvy, volume, and ability to mix in wrestling, predicting a close decision win for Fiziev.

Connor picks Fiziev, arguing that Ruffy is a smoke-and-mirrors fighter who is not a natural counter puncher and struggles when pressured. He notes that Fiziev is a superior technician with good takedown defense and that Ruffy's only path to victory is a lucky knockout. He also points out that Ruffy's wins are against slow or limited opponents, while Fiziev has fought elite competition.

Daniel Vreeland picks Ruffy as a dog, viewing the line as a market overcorrection. He believes Ruffy is a special striker who can match Fiziev's speed and technique, and that Fiziev has slowed down since his ACL surgery. Vreeland also notes that Ruffy has improved by training with Volkanovski and that Fiziev lacks a ground threat, making this a striking match where Ruffy can win.

James picks Ruffy to win by KO, citing Ruffy's youth, distance control, and timing advantage. He believes Fiziev is on a downtrend and may be hesitant to engage. James notes Ruffy's training with Volkanovski and that Fiziev's wrestling won't be effective. He sees Ruffy's durability and power as key factors.

Fiziev is a nasty Muay Thai striker with good speed, combinations, and countering ability. He has improved his wrestling, as shown in his last fight where he landed four takedowns. Ruffy struggles with grapplers and was broken mentally by Saint Denis. Fiziev's durability is ironclad, and he should push the pace, counter effectively, and mix in takedowns. The host is baffled that Fiziev is the underdog and expects a finish in round two or three.

Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Ruffy is overvalued due to his flashy style and that Fiziev is a more complete fighter. He highlights Fiziev's ability to mix in takedowns and his experience against top competition. He expects Fiziev to win a close decision.

The Guru picks Rafael Fiziev, citing his superior striking, timing, and ability to chop at opponents with kicks. He notes Ruffy's weaknesses in fundamentals and predicts Fiziev will win by decision, possibly 29-28. He expects Ruffy to have a good third round but Fiziev's technical edge will prevail.

Angelo picks Ignacio Bahamondes, citing his length, striking, and multiple ways to win. He acknowledges that Fiziev is the better striker but thinks Bahamondes is on a run and has more finishing options. He notes that Fiziev may have slowed down after injuries and tough fights. He recommends exposure to both in multiple lineups.

Big Brady picks Rafael Fiziev despite him being on a three-fight skid, noting that Fiziev's losses came against top competition (Gamrot, Gaethje twice) and one was on short notice. He believes Bahamondes is taking a step up in competition and that Fiziev's speed, power, and movement will cause problems early. Brady acknowledges Fiziev's cardio issues but thinks the fight goes to decision and that hometown judges will favor Fiziev in a close fight. He predicts a greasy, possibly controversial decision win for Fiziev.

Connor picks Fiziev, agreeing with Zane that Bahamondes' reversion to pocket fighting against Turner is a bad sign against Fiziev. He notes that Bahamondes has lost to short, explosive strikers before and that Fiziev is a much more polished striker than Bahamondes' recent opponents. He believes Fiziev's technical edge and the fact that Bahamondes hasn't proven his new style against a serious range striker make Fiziev the clear pick.

The host is surprised Bahamondes is the slight favorite. He thinks Fiziev may have handpicked his opponent to perform in front of his hometown crowd. He expects Fiziev's speed advantage and wrestling to thwart Bahamondes' distance striking, leading to a big shot or control time for a decision win.

The MMA Guru picks Ignacio Bahamondes, citing his range and improved distance management. He believes Fiziev's size disadvantage and recent war with Justin Gaethje will be factors. He expects Bahamondes to pick Fiziev apart as the fight goes on, predicting a third-round finish.

Connor picks Gaethje because he has more faith in Gaethje's cardio and durability than Fiziev's coming off a knee injury and short notice. He notes that Fiziev faded in their first fight and has not looked good since, while Gaethje's loss to Holloway was a stylistic nightmare that doesn't reflect his overall level. Connor believes Gaethje's jab and pressure will be too much for a rusty Fiziev.

Lucrative James picks Fiziev but is not confident due to intangibles like Gaethje's recent KO loss and Fiziev's knee injury layoff. He thinks Fiziev is the better striker and will land counters, but Gaethje could take over late if he pressures. He predicts Fiziev by KO, similar to his first fight prediction. He notes the line has moved from -250 to -155, indicating market correction.

Angelo picks Fiziev for the first time against Gamrot. He notes Fiziev is the better striker and has shown a willingness to go to war. He thinks over five rounds, Fiziev will eventually catch Gamrot. However, he acknowledges Gamrot's wrestling and durability, and says Gamrot at the current moneyline is great value.

Big Brady picks Rafael Fiziev to win by decision, noting he would max-bet Fiziev if it were a three-round fight. He praises Fiziev's striking power and improvement, but worries about his cardio in the championship rounds. He expects Fiziev to stuff takedowns early and bank the first three rounds, possibly knocking Gamrot down. He acknowledges Gamrot's relentless pace and never-slow-down cardio could make it close late.

Cody leans towards Gamrot as a live underdog, emphasizing that Fiziev's cardio fades in later rounds and Gamrot's wrestling can exploit that. He notes Gamrot has never been finished and has a strong chin, but acknowledges Fiziev's striking advantage early. He prefers to bet Gamrot live at a better price rather than pre-fight.

Daniel sees this as a very close fight that could go either way, so he leans toward the underdog. He highlights Gamrot's relentless takedown attempts (21 vs. Tsarukyan, 19 vs. Dern) and his unique low-single wrestling style that Fiziev hasn't faced. He worries Fiziev may fade in the later rounds under constant grappling pressure, leading to Gamrot taking over in rounds 3-5. He acknowledges Fiziev's athleticism and takedown defense but thinks the volume of attempts will eventually pay off.

Lucrative James picks Fiziev, citing his takedown defense and Muay Thai balance to stuff Gamrot's single-leg attempts. He believes Fiziev will land critical damage on the feet and potentially finish Gamrot. Even if it goes late, he thinks Gamrot will be too damaged to capitalize on his cardio edge. He placed 3 units on Fiziev at -136.

The host picks Gamrot as an underdog, reasoning that Fiziev fades in later rounds while Gamrot has proven cardio and grappling over five rounds. He notes Fiziev's 90% takedown defense but believes Gamrot's relentless pressure and chain wrestling will wear him down, leading to a decision win in rounds 3-5. The host also mentions the over 4.5 rounds as a good prop.

Paul leans slightly towards Fiziev, citing his striking advantage and improved takedown defense early. He worries about Gamrot's low volume and that judges may not reward takedowns without damage. However, he is not confident enough to bet pre-fight and will wait for weigh-ins.

Angelo is confident in Fiziev because he is the most technical striker in the division and Gaethje struggles with technical strikers. He notes Fiziev has phenomenal takedown defense and has defended takedowns from elite grapplers. He thinks Gaethje's power is always a threat but Fiziev should outclass him on the feet.

Big Brady picks Fiziev, citing his technical striking and youth. He questions Gaethje's durability due to accumulated damage and notes Gaethje looked tired in the Oliveira fight. He believes Fiziev can knock Gaethje out, predicting a second-round KO. He expects a war but trusts Fiziev's cardio and skills.

Cody picks Fiziev, citing Gaethje's accumulated damage and declining durability. He notes Gaethje's reckless style leaves him open to counters, and Fiziev's technical striking and ability to intercept shots will be key. He mentions Gaethje's wrestling is an option but he chooses not to use it. He doesn't love the moneyline but sees Fiziev as the cleaner striker. He has no strong prop lean but says the pick is Fiziev.

Connor picks Fiziev because Gaethje has become a back-foot counter puncher who no longer pressures. He notes that Gaethje's new approach makes him vulnerable to fighters who can draw out his counters and come back with combinations, as Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier did. Fiziev is a fast, technical striker with good body work and defensive responsibility. Connor thinks Fiziev's ability to slip and counter will be key, and that Gaethje's lack of subtle adjustments will hurt him. He also notes that Fiziev's kicking game and creativity will give Gaethje trouble.

Jacob is a big fan of Fiziev and thinks he is the best striker in the UFC regardless of weight class. He notes Fiziev knocked out his former striking coach Brad Riddell. He thinks Fiziev will expose Gaethje's striking as high school level with precise counters. He expects a dominant win.

Fiziev is a technical Muay Thai striker with good defense and cardio, while Gaethje is a brawler who may be slowing down at 34. Fiziev's technical advantage should allow him to counter Gaethje's wild hooks and leg kicks, leading to a knockout. Gaethje's durability is a concern, and Fiziev is the younger, hungrier fighter.

Paul echoes Cody's sentiment, picking Fiziev as the better striker. He notes Fiziev's takedown defense was impressive against dos Anjos, and Gaethje is unlikely to wrestle. He acknowledges Gaethje's power and volume make him live, but thinks Fiziev's technical edge wins out. He says minus 225 is about right and he won't bet it, but Fiziev is the pick.

The MMA Guru picks Rafael Fiziev to win by TKO, calling it a terrible matchup for Gaethje. He notes Fiziev is a kickboxer who doesn't have to worry about takedowns, allowing him to focus on striking. Gaethje's weaknesses include leg kicks, body shots, and a high guard that leaves his body open. Fiziev has the best body shots in the division and will chop the legs, rip the body, and eventually land a body-head combo for a KO. He also mentions Gaethje's accumulated damage and recent KO loss as factors.

Angelo picks Rafael dos Anjos as a +170 underdog, citing his grappling, size advantage, cardio, and durability. He notes Fiziev is the better striker but has questionable cardio, especially in a 5-round fight. He points out that RDA has not lost in 6 years without being taken down, and Fiziev is unlikely to initiate takedowns. He already has a moneyline bet on RDA at +170.

Big Brady picks Rafael dos Anjos, citing the five-round distance as a key factor. He notes that Fiziev has never seen the fourth or fifth round and has slowed down in third rounds of past fights, while RDA has proven cardio and experience in championship rounds. He expects RDA to mix in takedowns to test Fiziev's 95% takedown defense and cardio, potentially taking over in later rounds. He predicts a close decision win for RDA, acknowledging Fiziev could knock him out early.

Cody believes Fiziev has the advantage in striking with better hands and kicks, and his takedown defense is strong. He thinks Fiziev's cardio is sufficient to secure early rounds and then survive if needed. He sees RDA as a gatekeeper and Fiziev as a rising contender, calling it a passing of the torch.

The host discusses the Fiziev vs RDA fight but does not place a bet on it. He acknowledges the value on RDA as an underdog and respects those who pick him, but he personally keeps the fight out of his betting card. He mentions having Fiziev in a parlay but does not elaborate on a clear pick. He notes that Fiziev is younger, faster, and stronger, but RDA is durable and could win by decision. Ultimately, he does not commit to a side.

Paul thinks the price on Fiziev is too wide and expects to get RDA at a better price closer to fight time. He notes RDA's wrestling could be a factor, especially in a five-round fight, and that Fiziev's takedown defense hasn't been fully tested. He calls it a dogger pass situation but leans RDA.

Angelo picks Fiziev, citing his volume and diversity of strikes. He notes Riddell has more power but waits for the perfect shot, while Fiziev will already have landed kicks. Angelo is nervous about Riddell's power but sticks with Fiziev.

Big Brady picks Brad Riddell as a slight underdog, but with low confidence. He notes the fight is very even and should be a pick'em. He highlights Fiziev's tendency to slow down in later rounds, while Riddell maintains his pace. He also notes Riddell may mix in takedowns, though Fiziev has 100% takedown defense. Brady thinks Riddell's volume and cardio advantage could be key, but acknowledges Fiziev lands harder shots. He sides with Riddell slightly.

Cody also picks Riddell, emphasizing his volume and technical striking. He points out that Fiziev's power shots led to him gassing out against Bobby Green, while Riddell has superior cardio and accuracy. Cody believes Riddell's takedown defense has improved and that he can win by outworking Fiziev, especially in the later rounds.

Daniel Levi picks Rafael Fiziev by a close decision, acknowledging that Fiziev is explosive and accurate in the first two rounds but tends to slow down and get hit more in the third. He notes that Fiziev's output remains high throughout, but his defense deteriorates. He expects Fiziev to win the first two rounds and edge out a decision, though he admits it could go either way.

Jacob picks Fiziev, noting his wild style may impress judges. He thinks Fiziev's aggression and volume will sway scorecards in a close fight. Jacob acknowledges it's a coin toss but leans Fiziev.

I like Riddell. He is the better boxer with better cardio and tends to get stronger as fights go on. Fiziev starts fast but slows down, and he has lost round three in every fight. Riddell will punish Fiziev's naked kicks and land cleaner shots. I expect Riddell to win a decision, and the decision prop at plus 190 is solid. A round three finish is also live.

Paul picks Riddell, citing his volume and technical kickboxing. He notes that Fiziev was out-struck by Bobby Green and faded in the third round, while Riddell has shown cardio and takedown defense improvements. Paul believes Riddell's familiarity with Fiziev from training together gives him an edge, and that Riddell can win by outworking him over three rounds.

Angelo picks Fiziev to win but is not confident in a stoppage. He calls Fiziev the most dangerous striker in the division and a world-class striker. He acknowledges Green is tough and can grapple, but thinks Fiziev's striking and cardio will be too much. He has a prop bet on Fiziev winning by decision.

Big Brady thinks Fiziev is legit with powerful striking but notes he has slowed in third rounds. He respects Green's durability and wrestling, but believes Fiziev's takedown defense is solid. He predicts Fiziev will win rounds 1 and 2, possibly dropping the third, and win a 29-28 decision. He calls the -310 line disrespectful to Green.

Cody picks Fiziev, arguing that Bobby Green's lackadaisical style and poor ring IQ will be his downfall. He notes Fiziev's improvements in wrestling defense and his powerful striking. Cody thinks Fiziev will land big shots and chop Green's legs, leading to a finish or clear decision.

Daniel Levi picks Rafael Fiziev to stop Bobby Green, citing Fiziev's superior speed, power, and clean striking. He notes that Green plays with fire with his head movement and hands-down style, which will be punished by a precise kickboxer like Fiziev. He also mentions that Green has been stopped by strikes only twice before (Dustin Poirier and Tim Means) and expects Fiziev to add to that list. He is a huge fan of Green but believes the matchup favors Fiziev heavily.

Fiziev is a technical striker with great Muay Thai and improving MMA game. Green is durable and will pressure, but Fiziev can mix in takedowns and control the fight. Green is hard to finish, so a decision is likely. The line has moved due to hype, but Fiziev should win a close decision. He is slowly entering the top tier.

Paul disagrees with Cody and picks Bobby Green as a dog. He thinks Green is underrated and that Fiziev's price is too high. Paul believes Green's durability and boxing could lead to a decision win, and likes the plus money on Green by decision.

Big Brady picks Rafael Fiziev to win by second-round knockout. He believes Fiziev will stuff Moicano's takedowns (100% takedown defense in UFC) and land the better strikes. He notes Moicano has been finished in all three losses, two by knockout. He is not keen on the -155 price but sees value on Moicano as a dog.

Daniel thinks Moicano will surprise people at 155 pounds, citing his size, experience, and improved mindset. He acknowledges Fiziev's power and speed but believes Moicano's grappling and submission threat will be key. He calls it a dog-or-pass situation and picks the dog Moicano.

Fiziev is a talented kickboxer with excellent striking and takedown defense. Moicano is a solid grappler but has been knocked out recently. Fiziev should be able to keep the fight standing and outpoint Moicano. However, the line may have recency bias, and Moicano is still dangerous. Leaning Fiziev by decision, but passing on betting.

Big Brady likes Diakiese, believing he is better overall with a wrestling advantage he has used in recent fights. He thinks the striking will be close but Diakiese's takedowns will seal rounds. He notes Diakiese has a good chin and has never been knocked out, and might bet him if the line is right.

Daniel Levi leans toward Marc Diakiese, emphasizing that Diakiese should use his full MMA arsenal rather than trying to outkickbox Fiziev. He notes that Diakiese has matured and improved his wrestling and calf kicks. He warns that Fiziev is a dangerous kickboxer and that Diakiese must keep him guessing with takedown threats. He expects a tough fight but thinks Diakiese can win if he fights smart.