Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Preview
Ignacio Bahamondes and Rafael Fiziev meet in an exciting clash of lightweights on June 21st at 9:20 pm. The UFC comes to Fiziev’s home country of Azerbaijan for the first time in history as Ataman looks to put a stop to his three-fight slide.
Ignacio Bahamondes is on a hot streak and looks like a real prospect in the UFC. Will it be youth or experience that comes out on top on Saturday night?
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Predictions
Fight prediction: Rafael Fiziev via decision
One of our boldest MMA predictions this week is for Rafael Fiziev to stop his slide with a win in his home country. This bout promises to be fast-paced and high-octane. Both men bring a crowd-pleasing style to the octagon with strike-heavy arsenals. However, while both are dynamic on the feet, it’s Fiziev’s technical edge, experience, and ability to operate under pressure that should ultimately separate them.
Fiziev is a high-level Muay Thai practitioner with some of the sharpest striking in the lightweight division. His kicks to the body and legs are excellent weapons to unsettle his opponent and set up level-changing kicks to the head. The Azerbaijani combines that with elite head movement and crisp counter-punching. He will target Bahamondes’ lead leg early and often, disrupting the rhythm and lateral movement of the taller, rangier striker. Fiziev excels in mid-range exchanges, where his timing and shot selection are surgical. He rarely wastes energy and has a knack for landing cleanly even in chaotic moments.
Ataman will try to stay compact and slip inside Bahomondes’ longer reach before punishing his body with hooks and kicks. The Chilean is significantly bigger than Fiziev, and the latter must make sure he controls the distance and cuts angles. His head movement is good enough to stay out of the centre line and avoid too many big strikes. Fiziev is relentless, fast and agile; he will make it very hard for Bahamondes to hit him and wear him down with volume over three rounds.
Bahamondes, meanwhile, brings a fan-friendly style with a flair for spinning attacks, flashy high kicks, and high output. His best moments come when he’s allowed to work at range, using long kicks and jabs to break opponents down. Against less experienced strikers, his fluidity and creativity shine, but Fiziev is no ordinary striker. While Bahamondes has shown good conditioning and improving defensive grappling, he’s still relatively untested against top-15-level fighters. This will be a significant jump in competition.
Bahamondes’ path to victory lies in staying disciplined, controlling range, avoiding brawling exchanges, and constantly pumping volume to frustrate Fiziev. If he can maintain the centre of the cage and force Fiziev to circle wide without landing effectively, he can bank rounds based on activity. However, Fiziev’s pressure, power, and defensive IQ make that scenario unlikely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCSYhJ947vA&pp=ygUSaWduYWNpbyBiYWhhbW9uZGVz
One overlooked advantage for Fiziev is experience. He’s faced the division’s elite, stepping up against Rafael dos Anjos, Justin Gaethje, and Mateusz Gamrot, and has performed well even in defeat. That kind of experience is invaluable. Bahamondes has not yet faced an opponent who can match his pace and surpass his technique.
Unless Bahamondes finds a moment of brilliance or overwhelms Fiziev with surprise volume, the fight should steadily tilt toward the Azerbaijani. Expect Fiziev to chop the legs, land clean counters, and shut down Bahamondes’ rhythm en route to a convincing decision win. It might be close early, but as the rounds progress, Fiziev’s class should shine through.
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Fight Outcome
This is going to be a tough fight for both men. However, Fiziev’s excellent cardio and experience will see him outwork and outstrike Ignacio Bahamondes over three rounds. Bahamondes is a very creative striker and has plenty of flair, but Ataman’s technique and experience in big fights give him the edge. The Azerbaijani will keep his composure and keep Bahamondes at bay by throwing low kicks to counter the range. He will control the mid-range and force the Chilean against the cage and into uncomfortable positions.
Bahamondes will have his moments, particularly if he can manage range and land kicks from distance. However, Fiziev’s pressure will disrupt that rhythm. The Chilean’s flashy attacks leave openings, and Fiziev is the type of fighter who can capitalise with clinical precision. While Bahamondes will try to keep Fiziev on the outside and rack up volume, Fiziev will stay defensively sound and land the cleaner, more damaging shots. Over three rounds, the output, accuracy, and octagon control of Fiziev should prove enough for a clear decision victory.
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Betting Tips
- Fight Winner – Rafael Fiziev to win: This fight is tight, with Ignacio Bahamondes a slight favourite. A bet on Bahamondes is worth 8/11. However, he has never fought someone with the experience and resume of Fiziev. Although the Azerbaijani is on a slide, you have to consider the level of fighters and the circumstances. He has twice lost to former interim champion and perennial contender Justin Gaethje, and once to Mateusz Gamrot after a freak knee injury. Bahamondes is on a tear, but he is nowhere near those levels just yet. We are following the experience and betting on Fiziev at 1/1.
- Fight To Go the Distance – Yes: Both of these fighters bring knockout power, and while it would not be a surprise to see a finish, we think the most likely outcome would be a decision victory for either man. Discounting his knee injury loss to Gamrot, Fiziev has only been finished once in 16 fights, and that was six years ago. Bahamondes has never been knocked out and was last submitted in 2017. This will be a hard-fought decision for one man. A bet on the fight to go the distance is worth 3/4 with our online sportsbook.
- Round Will the Fight End – Round 2: While we expect this to go the distance, both men have the power to end a fight in a flash. They will probably spend the first round getting a feel of the distance and fighting to command the octagon. After that, it’s game on. We think if a finish were to come, it would be in Round 2, worth 9/2 for anyone betting on the UFC.
Rafael Fiziev vs Ignacio Bahamondes Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Rafael Fiziev Fight Stats
Rafael Fiziev is one of the most technically gifted strikers in the UFC’s lightweight division. A former Muay Thai standout with over 100 amateur fights, Fiziev transitioned to MMA with an explosive and highly technical style. Nicknamed “Ataman,” he’s known for his blistering speed, devastating body kicks, and slick head movement. His ability to strike while slipping shots in the pocket sets him apart from most of his peers at 155 lbs.
Fiziev made his UFC debut in 2019 and quickly built a reputation for highlight-reel knockouts and fan-friendly brawls. He combines Muay Thai precision with elite cardio and excellent takedown defence, making him a tough matchup for any opponent. While he’s not a volume striker in the traditional sense, he picks his shots carefully and punishes mistakes with sharp counters. He’s also highly durable, able to absorb pressure and respond with composure even in high-stakes moments.
Standing 5’8″ tall with a 71-inch reach, Fiziev is compact but explosive. He currently holds a professional record of 12-4, with eight wins coming by knockout. After back-to-back losses to Mateusz Gamrot (injury TKO) and Justin Gaethje (decision), he’ll look to bounce back in front of a home crowd and reassert himself in the stacked lightweight division.
Fiziev’s Previous Five Fights
- Lost: Justin Gaethje via unanimous decision
- Lost: Mateusz Gamrot via TKO (Knee injury, RD 2)
- Lost: Justin Gaethje via majority decision
- Won: Rafael dos Anjos via KO (RD 5
- Won: Brad Riddell via KO (RD 3)
Ignacio Bahamondes Fight Stats
Ignacio Bahamondes is a rising striker in the UFC lightweight division known for his size, creativity, and highlight-reel finishes. Standing at 6’3″ with a 75.5-inch reach, the Chilean uses his long limbs and fluid striking to keep opponents at range and land damaging kicks and punches from awkward angles. Trained at MMA Masters in Florida, Bahamondes brings a dynamic kickboxing style that has made him a fan favourite.
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Bahamondes has steadily improved, showcasing a high work rate and a varied arsenal of spinning attacks, body kicks, and jabs. His best performances come when he’s able to maintain distance and break opponents down with volume. While his takedown defence and grappling are still developing, he’s made noticeable progress in his all-around game and possesses underrated toughness and cardio.
At 26 years old, Bahamondes holds a professional record of 17-5, including 11 knockouts and two submissions. While he’s yet to break into the top 15, a win over Fiziev would represent a major leap forward in his career trajectory.
Bahamondes’ Previous Five Fights
- Won: Jalin Turner via submission (RD 1)
- Won: Manuel Torres via TKO (RD 1)
- Won: Christos Giagos via TKO (RD 1)
- Lost: Ludovit Klein via unanimous decision
- Won: Trey Ogden via unanimous decision
