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Surging UFC light-weight contender Rafael Fiziev produced a highlights-reel end as he stopped buddy and former coaching associate Brad Riddell with a surprising wheel kick of their co-main occasion in Las Vegas.
In a gathering between two males famend for his or her scientific hanging abilities and who know one another properly from their time coaching collectively in Thailand, the competition regarded like going to the wire after a aggressive first two rounds.
Fiziev caught Riddell with a giant elbow in spherical two which opened up a nasty lower across the American’s left eye, prompting medical doctors to have a look at the lower between rounds earlier than clearing him to proceed.
That prompted some urgency from Riddell however Fiziev picked his second completely halfway into the third spherical as he uncorked a devastating wheel kick which froze Riddell on the spot.
The American stumbled to the canvas earlier than attempting to return to his ft in a daze, however referee Herb Dean had seen sufficient and waved off the battle on the 2:20 mark of the spherical.
The wheel kick end was the thirteenth of its sort in UFC historical past and prolonged Fiziev’s unbeaten run to 5 –the fourth longest energetic streak among the many 155lbs ranks.
The Kazakh-born Kyrgyz star now stands 5-1 within the UFC Octagon and 11-1 total in an more and more spectacular profession.
Riddell in the meantime suffered a primary defeat in his fifth bout within the UFC Octagon and only a second loss in his 12-fight profession.
Fiziev was stuffed with reward for his crushed rival in his post-fight interview.
“I like him, I realized from him,” Fiziev advised Daniel Cormier.
“I waited [for this strike] – I wait three rounds. I didn’t flip as a result of I do know when he goes this fashion his fingers go down and he neglect about spinning again kicks.”
After difficult social media sensation Hasbulla after his final victory towards Bobby Inexperienced in August, Fiziev continued his conventional of unorthodox callouts.
This time he jokingly demanded a showdown with Hollywood star Vince Vaughn, who was watching on contained in the UFC Apex.
In the meantime on-line, fighters, followers and pundits have been stuffed with reward for Fiziev – with former light-weight title contender Michael Chandler tipping him as a future champion at 155lbs.
Present UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling described the 28-year-old as “an animal”.
WOW!!! What a loopy ending to that battle! Fiziev is an animal!! He throws heaters for 15min straight! #UFCVegas44
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 5, 2021
Bangggggg. Spinning head kick lands for Fiziev and simply freezes Riddell in place. Virtually regarded like Riddell tried to wave it off himself, his physique was so shocked it did not even fall. That was wild. Fiziev is gooooood. Rattling.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 5, 2021
Lovely wheel kick KO by Rafael Fiziev. No points with the stoppage. Riddell didn’t appear to have a difficulty with it both. That landed flush.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 5, 2021
Fiziev is an absolute pleasure to look at strike. Only a technical savage. He’s emerged this yr as one of the crucial thrilling guys on the roster. #UFCVegas44
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) December 5, 2021
Fiziev’s fireworks earned him a Efficiency of the Night time bonus and units him up properly for a possible assault on the higher echelons of the light-weight division in 2022.
READ MORE: ‘Nothing extra connects me with Kyrgyzstan’: UFC fan favourite Fiziev turns again on homeland after ‘spiritual harassment’
In the principle occasion of the night time, UFC icon Jose Aldo delighted his legion of followers with a formidable win over bantamweight contender Rob Font.
The Brazilian former featherweight champion outworked his American rival for a unanimous choice win, 50-45, 50-45, 49-46.
Aldo snapped Font’s four-fight successful streak and continued his exceptional renaissance with a 3rd win on the spin.
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