Rafael Fiziev and Conor McGregor were majorly friendly during a recent Twitter interaction, but unsurprisingly, things escalated a bit quickly.
After coming across a highlight of Fiziev’s incredible head kick dodging abilities in Muay Thai, McGregor was complimentary but critical at the same time. Saying; “This is awesome. Change the roundhouse to an axe kick. Roundhouse into and axe kick and this defense eats the full of the heel. I’m telling you. If their reaction to a high kick is this, implement the axe.”
A Muay Thai fighter for the first half of his combat sports career, Fiziev found the suggestion to be not all too realistic. He was open to seeing it, however, and invited “The Notorious” to come and show him.
McGregor remained insistent on the technique but was ultimately willing to take up Fiziev on his offer. So, things were looking good for the pair of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight strikers … until they weren’t.
Bouncing off the respectful nature of the response, Fiziev kept that same energy. McGregor then threw a curveball comparing himself to golf legend, Tiger Woods.
“No bother pal, sound,” McGregor said. “Think of me as tiger woods with a 12 iron and your nose as the golf ball. And think of me sprinting for it with a running switch kick and f—k your little bend back. You little bend back nobody b—ch. Oh you bend over, wow, that’s awesome. Congrats pal haha.”
Despite the Irishman’s brash nature, it still felt like a random swerve. While McGregor continues healing from his broken leg suffered against Dustin Poirier in July 2021, Fiziev is currently preparing for his first UFC main event this weekend (Sat., July 9, 2022) against Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Vegas 58.
Asked about the interaction at the UFC Vegas 58 media day (h/t John Morgan), Fiziev tried to make sense of it all.
“He started with saying ‘respect,’ but you know, I’m sure I’m respected by everybody, and I also respect Conor’s big work for this business,” Fiziev said. “Nobody makes this like he does. But before he sleeps at night, he drinks first. Maybe he smokes and after maybe he like (sniffs and wipes finger under nose). Enough to where maybe he has one last drink of Proper Twelve [Irish Whiskey]. Little bit again. Oh, he takes his phone, he starts talking s—t, you know.”
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