No Bets Barred: Can Rafael Fiziev give Azerbaijan reason to celebrate at UFC Baku?

The UFC returns to Baku, Azerbaijan this Saturday for its final event before a weeklong hiatus, taking place at the National Gymnastics Arena. Rafael Fiziev, the promotion's biggest star from Azerbaijan, headlines the card against rising lightweight Manuel Torres in a bid to bounce back from a recent loss to Mauricio Ruffy.

Fiziev's rebound attempt is the centerpiece of a card that features several other intriguing matchups and storylines. The event also includes Michel Pereira's bout, which some observers view as potentially pivotal for the veteran's UFC future, alongside a handful of notable gym fights and the restart of The Climb series.

In the latest episode of the No Bets Barred podcast (episode 158), host Jed Meshew breaks down all the action expected in Baku. The discussion covers whether Fiziev can rediscover the form that made him a title threat, whether Torres has proven himself as a legitimate lightweight contender, and what lies ahead for other fighters on the card. New episodes of No Bets Barred air every Wednesday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms.