Korea-friendly Fiziev, Mitchell headline UFC Fight Night Azerbaijan

Both fighters share a common path through Korea's Road FC to the UFC; they headline the main and co-main events

Rafael Fiziev lands a short hook on Justin Gaethie at UFC 313 in March last year. [UFC]

"Ataman" Rafael Fiziev (33, Azerbaijan), who made his name fighting in Korea, looks to stop the charge of "El Loco" Manuel Torres (31, Mexico) on home soil.

Fiziev (13-5), ranked No. 11 in the UFC lightweight media panel rankings, faces No. 15 Torres (17-3) in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday (Korean Standard Time). In the newly released Meta UFC rankings this week, Torres sits at No. 13 while Fiziev is outside the rankings.

Fiziev was born into an Azerbaijani family that was forcibly displaced to Central Asia following the Russian Revolution. After headlining the co-main event last year, he takes top billing at home this time. "My family was deported to Central Asia, but they found their footing and survived there," he said. "If my grandparents were still alive to see me headline a main event in my homeland, they would have been so proud."

Fiziev is also a well-known friend of Korean combat sports, having built his global reputation through a Korean organization. A Muay Thai striker, Fiziev turned heads in 2017 at Road FC with dazzling evasive moves reminiscent of the film "The Matrix" and powerful striking, knocking out striking specialists Kim Seung-youn and Nandinerdene. He went on to join the UFC, where he has competed at the top level — including a knockout win over former champion Rafael dos Anjos.

The natural-born finisher Manuel Torres travels as the challenger. Torres has ended 16 of his 17 career wins by first-round finish, and all five of his UFC victories have come the same way. Torres had been preparing to become a lawyer in law school when he discovered a passion for fighting at a gym he visited at 19 and turned professional. He fights aggressively, leading with heavy punching power.

"I want to be a feared fighter like Mike Tyson," Torres said. "I've always wanted to finish my opponents since I was young, and I believe that's the way to become the best in the world."

Fiziev assessed his opponent carefully. "Torres has bombs in his punches, just like me," he said. "He doesn't use any particularly exceptional power or unique technique, but he executes the basics at an incredibly fast pace." He added that he plans to use the experience he has built up in the UFC to target Torres's weaknesses.

Torres predicted a memorable contest. "Fiziev is an experienced fighter — it's going to be a great fight," he said. He also issued a warning: "Fiziev doesn't know my real abilities. I fight with my own weapons and my own speed." Torres added that he is always ready to compete and that finishing the fight in the first round is his plan.

Overseas bookmakers currently see the bout as nearly a 50-50 contest, with no clear favorite.

Mitchell Pereira (left) lands a left straight on Ihor Potieria at UFC 301 in May 2024. [UFC]

The co-main event also features a Korea-friendly fighter. "Demolidor" Mitchell Pereira (32, Brazil), who went straight to the UFC after posting three wins in Korea's Road FC, takes on "Bullet" Shara Magomedov (32, Russia).

Pereira (32-14) earned worldwide fame in Korea with a circus-like style featuring tumbling acrobatics and kicks and punches launched off the cage wall before heading directly to the UFC. Magomedov (16-1) is a one-eyed fighter trained in Muay Thai and Lethwei, Myanmar's traditional combat sport. He lost the sight in his right eye to an injury sustained while training in Thailand but has continued to compete with powerful striking, going 5-1 in the UFC.

UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Torres will be broadcast live on tvN Sports and Tving starting at 1 a.m. Sunday.

yjc@heraldcorp.com