“Best Rafael in sports!” Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal was once called out by UFC fighter Rafael Fiziev to settle name dispute
Throwback to when UFC Lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev openly challenged Grand Slam Tennis Champion Rafael Nadal for a 'Showdown of the Rafaels' to see who is the best Rafael in sports
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Showdown of the Rafaels: Rafael Nadal vs Rafael Fiziev ( Image source: Getty Images )
Back in Las Vegas in July 2022, UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev delivered a stunning knockout victory over Rafael dos Anjos who was a former champion of the division. This triumph set Fiziev on a path to prove himself as the ultimate Rafael. This led him to challenge Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal for a duel.
Rafael showcased his impressive skills and endured a grueling five-round battle with Dos Anjos. After his victory, Fiziev took center stage by challenging another prominent figure who shares the name, Rafael. He is none other than the legendary 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Rafael Nadal. With a desire to settle the debate over who truly deserves the title of “the best Rafael,” Fiziev fearlessly called out Nadal, seeking to demonstrate his prowess across multiple sports.
Over the past years, Fiziev has rapidly ascended through the ranks of one of the UFC‘s most competitive divisions. He currently stands at #6 in the division. With a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, Rafael has maintained an impressive career in the UFC. Speaking to Michael Bisping in the post-fight interview, Fiziev confidently proclaimed, “Now we know who is the best Rafael in the UFC…I want to make a new challenge… Rafael Nadal, come here! Where is he? I can beat him in his own sport too.”
Fiziev showcased his multifaceted skills during the grueling bout against Dos Anjos. Robbing Dos Anjos of a title shot when he was on an unstoppable winning streak, solidified Fiziev’s standing as a formidable fighter. The Azerbaijani has only had eight fights in his UFC career to date. For this, he has faced several criticisms regarding his contribution to the sport. However, amidst all the naysayers, Rafael Fiziev stands strong.
Who is UFC Lightweight Rafael Fiziev?
Hailing from Kazakhstan, Rafael Fiziev is one of the best pure strikers in the lightweight division. And, he has shown that with the performances that he has racked up in his win column. At just 30, Fiziev has been able to defeat the likes of Renato Moicano, Bobby Green, Brad Riddell, and, Rafael dos Anjos. Which is when he called ut the well-acclaimed Tennis player.
Despite several call-outs from his side, a fight against Justin Gaethje was never able to materialize, until 2023. Rafael Fiziev fought against Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 on the Edwards vs Usman 3 undercard. Both fighters delivered a spectacular performance and the fight went the distance. Ultimately Justin Gaethje walked away with the decision victory.
That being said, he is still #6 in the 155-pound weight class. And it is only a matter of time before he is able to score huge fights.
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Neial Nishant Bhuyan
(1679 Articles Published)