‘Put his ass in the dirt’: Pros react to Rafael Fiziev’s spectacular UFC Baku knockout

Rafael Fiziev reminded fans why he remains one of the UFC's most electrifying lightweights with a spectacular second-round knockout of Manuel Torres at UFC Baku. Fighting on his home turf in Azerbaijan, Fiziev turned up the intensity in Round 2 after a competitive first round, landing a devastating spinning wheel kick that dropped Torres before finishing him with powerful ground-and-pound. The stunning finish earned Fiziev a roaring ovation from the appreciative home crowd and reignited his campaign after a rough stretch that saw him compile a 1-4 record over his previous five fights. The victory keeps Fiziev in the thick of the lightweight division's ultra-competitive landscape. Following his impressive rebound, Fiziev has publicly set his sights on the "BMF" championship rather than pursuing the undisputed 155-pound title currently held by Justin Gaethje, an opponent he has faced twice before. The performance drew widespread praise from fellow professionals on social media, with fighters and analysts taking to their platforms to celebrate Fiziev's spectacular technique and timing.