Rafael Fiziev wheel kick downs Manuel Torres in UFC Baku headliner
UFC Baku delivered a night of decisive performances across the card, with Rafael Fiziev's stunning spinning wheel kick to Manuel Torres headlining the festivities at the National Gymnastics Arena on Saturday.
Main Card:
Rafael Fiziev def. Manuel Torres via TKO (Submission/Ground and Pound) at 0:15 of Round 2
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Matheus Camilo def. Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (Punches) at 1:31 of Round 1
Asu Almabayev def. Charles Johnson via submission (Suloev Stretch Kneebar) at 3:33 of Round 3
Ikram Aliskerov def. Brunno Ferreira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Abus Magomedov def. Michel Oleksiejczuk via submission (Guillotine Choke) at 3:25 of Round 1
Fiziev (14-5) rebounded from a 1-4 skid with a masterclass display of timing and technique, catching Torres with a spinning heel kick early in Round 2 before finishing with relentless ground-and-pound. The Azerbaijan native had struggled through losses to Mauricio Ruffy and Justin Gaethje but seized this homecoming opportunity with both hands, earning calls for a "BMF" championship shot post-fight.
Magomedov (17-1, 6-1 UFC) controlled the middleweight co-main event with his trademark kicking arsenal, systematically breaking down the durable but gassed Pereira over 15 minutes. The 32-year-old has now won back-to-back bouts since his February loss to Bellator veteran Michael Page.
Across the main card, finishes dominated: Camilo's upset knockout over the favored Sadykhov, Almabayev's technical submission mastery over Johnson, Aliskerov's grappling clinic against Ferreira, and Magomedov's devastating guillotine on Oleksiejczuk all showcased the depth and striking quality of the card.
Fighters mentioned
