Following his sad and sudden loss at UFC Vegas 79 against Mateusz Gamrot on September 23, the lightweight weight contender, Rafael ‘Ataman’ Fiziev could be seen waiting in line for treatment in a hospital in Las Vegas along with other fighters – Bryce Mitchell and Michelle Waterson-Gomez.
The disheartened fighter mentioned how the business(UFC) he was in, is the best. He also mentions the second round in which the injury took place. Rafael Fiziev said, “Second round [the injury happened]. Look, everybody [is] here. What a business, yeah? What a business, guys. The best business in the world. Everybody here. Alhamdulillah.”
Rafael Fiziev is now on a long road to recovery, after what looks like a possible ACL injury that occurred mid-fight according to Dr. David Abbasi. The injury occurred in the second round after Ataman threw a right leg kick and immediately fell to the canvas from the pain caused by his left knee, the fight was stopped and Gamrot was awarded a TKO victory.
Fiziev clearly tore his ACL. From video my first 1st image shows his knee slid forward consistent w ACL tear.
2nd image knee slid back into place.Will likely get ACL surgery- likely out for 9-12 months. #fiziev #acl #UFCVegas79 https://t.co/PpJODHzxcp pic.twitter.com/fUcGB14kru
— David Abbasi, MD (@DrDavidAbbasi) September 24, 2023
However, a close analysis of the fight shows how Fiziev has been landing awkwardly on his left leg. The way he threw his body kicks with his knee forward in front of his body, could have contributed to the strain that led to the injury.
Moreover, Gamrot struck Fiziev with some good leg kicks on that same knee. In the first round, the Kazakh defended a takedown beautifully, completely evading the Polish takedown, but his left leg could be seen in a very awkward position.
During the fight, Fiziev showed how his takedown defense has refined after evading Gamrot’s attempts, even though the latter has some impressive takedown capabilities. Mateusz however managed to take Fiziev down once which was his second time being taken down in the UFC. In the first round, Fiziev threw a stunning combination that landed on Gamrot possibly winning him the round.
What’s next for Rafael Fiziev?
Rafael Fiziev is in for a long gap in his career, especially if the rumors of the injury being a torn ACL. The injury has caused a lot of NFL players to retire or sit on the bench for a long time. If Fiziev manages to recover within the expected time, it can take anywhere from 9 months to a year.
The #7 in the UFC lightweight rankings then has to make up for the lost time in the octagon, with back-to-back win streaks to compensate. In particular, the Kazakh has lost two fights back-to-back, with the first being against Justin Gaethje, the current BMF title holder.
Fiziev has shown that his takedown defense and striking have improved, but a layoff that could be up to a year might result in a declining career. Ataman is a pressure fighter whose small error has caused him a year from his career.
