After enduring two consecutive losses and an ACL injury in his last fight, lightweight star Rafael Fiziev is finally set to make his return, giving fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for. Known for his striking prowess, Fiziev has been a dominant force in the lightweight division. The Kazakhstan fighter is now gearing up for a comeback at UFC Saudi Arabia on February 1st.
Fiziev has been absent from the octagon since September of last year when the Kazakhstan fighter suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Fight Night. The fight ended with Fiziev tearing his ACL, forcing him to spend over a year recovering from the injury. Initially, he was in talks to headline UFC Paris against Benoit Saint-Denis in September, followed by discussions about a January return, but both plans fell through.
‘Ataman’ recently shared that he has accepted a fight and is awaiting confirmation. Taking to X, Fiziev revealed that he signed the contract two weeks ago, agreed to the opponent and date, and expressed his excitement about stepping back into the octagon. With the timeline now confirmed, fans can expect to see Fiziev return to action in February 2025.
🚨 Rafael Fiziev has accepted an offer to fight at #UFCSaudiArabia on February 1st, and is waiting to hear back from the UFC 👀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 25, 2024
He was initially in talks to headline #UFCParis against Benoit Saint-Denis in September. He then was told he'd be fighting in January, but both of… pic.twitter.com/PXfr8dvpHw
Speculation is swirling among fans that lightweight star Fiziev might face interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in his comeback fight. However, Poirier has advised fans not to put too much stock in the rumors.
Dustin Poirier Responds to Retirement Talks and Rafael Fiziev Fight Rumors
Fan favorite Dustin Poirier seems to be approaching his retirement fight, having repeatedly hinted at seeking a “last dance” to close out his iconic career. While neither Poirier nor the UFC has confirmed any details, rumors of his next opponent have circulated. Recently, reports suggested a potential matchup with Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March, but Poirier quickly dismissed them as “fake news.”
Despite speculation following his loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 302, Poirier remains determined to compete one last time. Addressing the rumors, the former interim lightweight champion stated on social media, “Thought I had one but still working on the finale.”
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Dustin Poirier provides an update on his next fight, and shuts down rumors of a fight against Rafael Fiziev, calling it "fake news"
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 23, 2024
"Thought I had [a fight] but still working on the finale." 👀#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/kpd9SPjuJZ
When asked about the rumored booking with Rafael Fiziev, Dustin Poirier dismissed the speculation, calling it “fake news.” As of now, neither Poirier nor Fiziev has any fights scheduled, leaving fans eager to see what’s next for both fighters.
Also Read: Dustin Poirier Eyes High Stakes Showdown With UFC 308 Main Event Fighters As His Farewell Fight
