Rafael Fiziev returned to the win column with a disciplined and strategic performance over Ignacio Bahamondes in the co-main event of UFC on ABC: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. in Baku. After dropping three straight—including a TKO via knee injury to Mateusz Gamrot and two decision losses to Justin Gaethje—Fiziev needed to remind fans and matchmakers of the dynamic striker that once stormed into the lightweight top 10. Against Bahamondes, he showcased improved fight IQ, mixing crisp Muay Thai fundamentals with timely takedowns and sharp counters. Despite Bahamondes pushing the pace late, Fiziev’s early control and accuracy earned him a clean 30-27 sweep on the scorecards and improved his UFC record to 7–4.

Next up for Rafael Fiziev should be a rematch with Mateusz Gamrot. Their first meeting in September 2023 ended in anticlimactic fashion when Fiziev suffered a non-contact knee injury midway through Round 2. Until that point, the fight had been highly competitive, with Fiziev landing hard shots and Gamrot looking to grapple. Since then, Gamrot has gone 2–1, with wins over Rafael dos Anjos and Ľudovít Klein sandwiching a close loss to Dan Hooker.

Both fighters are ranked in the lightweight top 10 (Gamrot #7, Fiziev #10), and their unfinished business provides a natural narrative. A rematch now makes even more sense with both men rebounding from recent losses and aiming to establish themselves as true contenders in the increasingly crowded 155-pound division. Stylistically, it’s a fascinating clash—Fiziev’s explosive striking and takedown defense against Gamrot’s relentless chain wrestling and cardio.

If booked, this rematch could easily headline a Fight Night card or co-headline a numbered event, with potential title implications depending on how the lightweight title picture plays out in the second half of 2025.

Last Five Fights – Rafael Fiziev:

1. Win over Ignacio Bahamondes – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ABC (June 21, 2025)
2. Loss to Justin Gaethje – Decision (unanimous), UFC 313 (March 8, 2025)
3. Loss to Mateusz Gamrot – TKO (knee injury), UFC Fight Night (September 23, 2023)
4. Loss to Justin Gaethje – Decision (majority), UFC 286 (March 18, 2023)
5. Win over Rafael dos Anjos – KO (punches), UFC on ESPN (July 9, 2022)

Last Five Fights – Mateusz Gamrot:

1. Win over Ľudovít Klein – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ESPN (May 31, 2025)
2. Loss to Dan Hooker – Decision (split), UFC 305 (August 18, 2024)
3. Win over Rafael dos Anjos – Decision (unanimous), UFC 299 (March 9, 2024)
4. Win over Rafael Fiziev – TKO (knee injury), UFC Fight Night (September 23, 2023)
5. Win over Jalin Turner – Decision (split), UFC 285 (March 4, 2023)