Fiziev's Defining KO Return
Rafael Fiziev Delivers Stunning Spinning Kick KO, Reasserts Himself in Lightweight Division
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Key Points
1
Torres hadn't left the first round in nearly eight years, making Fiziev's second-round finish even more explosive after a perfectly placed spinning back kick set up the TKO.
2
Fiziev's win reinforced his status in the lightweight rankings, helping protect his place among the top contenders and signaling a viable path back toward title contention.
3
Asu Almabayev secured a Suloev stretch submission, becoming the fourth fighter in UFC history to win by that technique.
4
Matheus Camilo silenced the local crowd by stopping Nazim Sadykhov, adding another finish to the card and shifting the evening’s momentum.
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Shara Magomedov’s unanimous decision over Michel Pereira showcased Magomedov’s activity late, as Pereira’s pace faded and Magomedov won the second and third rounds through sustained engagement.
Rafael Fiziev knocked out Manuel Torres just 15 seconds into the second round at UFC Baku on June 27, finishing with a spinning back kick and follow-up ground strikes to win in front of his home crowd in Azerbaijan. The finish was stunning: Torres had not seen a second round in nearly eight years across 16 fights, making Fiziev's ability to send him there — and then stop him — the story of the night, according to UFC.com.
The win moves Fiziev to 13-5 and resurrects his title-contention hopes after a 1-4 skid in his last five fights, per MMAMania. After the bout, Fiziev called out Charles Oliveira: "I want the BMF belt. Charles Oliveira, I was supposed to fight you in October. Let's do it now," per Cageside Press.
How Fiziev Set Up the Second-Round Stunner
Fiziev came out in the first round and did something unexpected: he shot for a takedown. According to UFC.com analyst E. Spencer Kyte, that tactical pivot likely broke Torres's rhythm. Torres built his entire reputation as a first-round finisher — fast, violent, and single-minded. Fiziev gave him something different to think about.
The second round lasted only 15 seconds. Fiziev landed a spinning back kick to the head, dropped Torres, and finished with ground punches. LowKick MMA called it "spectacular" and noted it was Fiziev's first knockout finish in nearly four years. The Baku crowd of more than 10,000 erupted, per MMA Fighting.
Magomedov Wins Ugly, Raises Questions About His Ceiling
In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov beat Michel Pereira by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 29-28. Pereira won the first round, but his pace faded. Magomedov poured on volume in rounds two and three to take the fight, per Sportsnet.
The win pushed Magomedov's record to 17-1, but it came with controversy. Referee Herb Dean issued multiple warnings for eye pokes and hair pulling by Magomedov — but never deducted a point. Sportsnet noted Magomedov was "lucky to escape without a point deduction." UFC.com said the performance raised "more questions than answers" about his readiness for elite competition.
Almabayev Makes UFC History With Rare Submission
Asu Almabayev pulled off one of the most unusual finishes in UFC history. The Kazakh flyweight, ranked No. 9, submitted Charles Johnson at 3:33 of round three using a Suloev stretch — a rare hold that targets the hamstring rather than the neck. According to MMA News, Almabayev became only the fourth fighter ever to win in the UFC by that technique, joining Kenny Robertson, Aljamain Sterling, and Zabit Magomedsharipov.
LowKick MMA analysts called it a "masterclass in positional grappling." Almabayev ignored the obvious rear-naked choke and hunted a submission most fighters never attempt. The finish highlighted a card that saw six of the first seven bouts end before the final bell, per UFC.com.
Camilo Silences Baku Crowd, Stoppage Sparks Debate
Brazilian lightweight Matheus Camilo stopped local fan favorite Nazim Sadykhov by TKO just 1:31 into round one. The crowd responded with loud boos. Sadykhov immediately protested the stoppage, and local outlets framed the result as a "stolen moment," per Cageside Press. Sadykhov was on the ground and covering up when the referee stepped in.
Camilo pushed back on the criticism. "I think it was a great stoppage," he said, per MMA Fighting. "I felt right at home as soon as I arrived." Elsewhere on the card, Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev recorded the fastest finish of the 2026 season — an 8-second knockout of Julius Walker — per MMA News. The event underlined the UFC's growing foothold in the Caspian region under a government partnership that locks in annual Baku events through 2028.
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