Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Marc Diakiese and Rafael Fiziev faced off in a Lightweight bout tonight (Sat., July 18, 2020) at UFC Fight Night 172 from inside “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In a stellar performance, Rafael Fiziev picked his opponent apart.
Diakiese opened with a big calf kick. Another calf kick briefly knocks Fiziev down to a knee. Fiziev landed a hard body kick and pushed his foe into the fence, where he scored a slick foot sweep! Diakiese attempted an Americana from his back, but nothing landed. Diakiese returned to his feet at the midway point of the round and ate a body kick. Fiziev landed a big combination as well. Head kick from Diakiese partially connects, but the body kick return landed much harder. Fiziev really began tearing up his opponent with further body shots and combinations, forcing a bad shot out of the Englishman. Fiziev denied the shot and took half guard again. Diakese worked back to his feet and landed a knee. Yet another HUGE body kick scored for Fiziev. By the end of the first, both men were bleeding.
Big right hand counter landed to start the second for Diakiese. Fiziev returned to his left body kick. Fiziev ducked a high kick, kicked the thigh. Fiziev dug a hard right kick to the body. Diakiese chopped at the calf. Fiziev ripped a left hook into the liver then dug a pair of low kicks. Spinning back fist from Fiziev! Diakiese scored with a right to the body, but he was getting chewed up. Diakiese attempted a single leg takedown, but it was stuffed. “Bonecrusher” landed a solid clinch knee, but he could not keep Fiziev trapped on the fence. Solid cross connected for Diakiese. Fiziev’s low kick began landing with greater consistency. Fiziev landed a pair of big kicks near the bell, but Diakiese’s hands were starting to find a home more often as well.
Fiziev began the final round with yet another switch kick that landed clean, but Diakiese fired back with a solid combination. MORE body kicks from Diakiese. The right low kick and left body kick of Fiziev were just breaking Diakiese down and throwing off his rhythm in a major way. Fiziev ripped a body combination, and Diakiese returned with a body hook of his own. Another Diakiese takedown is stuffed, and Fiziev landed an elbow and body kick on the break. Heavy right hand connected for Diakiese, but Fiziev wore it well. Another big 1-2 for the Englishman! Fiziev scored with two body punches. Jump knee attempt for Diakiese bounced off the arms. Fiziev closed the fight with a spinning back kick.
Man, this bout will go down as a coming out party for Rafael Fiziev! The Tiger Muay Thai coach displayed his kickboxing skill, most notably his absolutely cracking body kicks. Diakiese showed some grit and his own explosiveness, but Fiziev was really a step ahead the whole fight.
Result: Rafael Fiziev defeats Marc Diakiese via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
For complete UFC Fight Night 172 “Figueiredo vs. Benavidez 2” results and play-by-play, click HERE!