Rafael Fiziev Shares Takeaways From Justin Gaethje Loss

It will take more than a close loss to bring Rafael Fiziev down.

Fiziev (12-2) will look to bounce back from his second-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship loss that snapped a six-fight win streak when he takes on Mateusz Gamrot (22-2) in the main event at UFC Vegas 79 on Sept. 23. “Ataman” came up on the short side of a majority decision against Justin Gaethje at UFC 291. Despite the loss, the bout marked the Kazakh’s sixth consecutive bonus-winning performance.

While Gaethje is often considered responsible for ruining fighters’ careers with his brutal beatdowns, Fiziev claims to have already moved on from the loss.

The 30-year-old said during UFC Vegas 79 media day, “I already forget about [the loss to Gaethje] … I’m focused on my next opponent. Loss is last time – I’m sad for last time. Everybody don’t like loss. I want to come back to good win. I want to make a show again, and I want to get my hand [raised].”

However, Fiziev admits to learning a lesson in humility along with the need to control the “fire” inside him. After having recklessly played to the crowd in the past, “Ataman” now knows the importance of staying collected. When asked if he has any future potential matchups in mind, Fiziev suggested that instead of thinking about other opponents, he will keep his thoughts directed towards himself.

“I’m humble, I’m always humble. No, no. No, have names. I’m second time learning in the UFC how I need to control my emotions, I need to stop my fire inside. Because on this fight I follow the fire inside of me and I feel like I hear the arena how they’re screaming. And I going forward, want more scream. I have to stay cold and follow my game plan. That’s what I learned,” Fiziev concluded.