Rafael Fiziev would love to run things back with Mateusz Gamrot.
Fiziev (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) hasn’t competed since tearing his ACL in a second-round TKO loss to Gamrot in the UFC Fight Night 228 headliner in September 2023.
The lightweight contender recently revealed on X that he accepted a fight, which sparked rumblings of a potential matchup against Dustin Poirier. Fiziev debunked those rumors, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be all in for that fight.
“Many people talking something about Dustin, like I see some in internet but it’s good,” Fiziev told Submission Radio. “If I fight Dustin, of course it’s good. He’s a legend, he’s a former champion. Yeah for me, it’s like a miracle if I fight with Dustin, but I’m not sure with this.”
If not Poirier, Fiziev wants to avenge his loss to Gamrot, which led to the first consecutive losses in his career.
“After my last loss against Gamrot, like after I get surgery, I talk with my manager and I tell him, ‘Bro, I want to fight this guy,'” Fiziev said. “I want a rematch because I still want to feel this pressure, like wrestling pressure and grappling pressure. I still want to fight with elite grappler like him, and I still want to check myself against wrestlers like him.”
Gamrot responded, and is open to another five-round matchup.
I like you attitude #noeasyfights
5 rounds sounds great with you https://t.co/ZidyM2frCz— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) November 27, 2024
Whether Poirier, Gamrot, or any top contender, Fiziev is just eager to compete after over a year away from competition.
“I’ve been waiting for so much,” Fiziev said. “Doesn’t matter where, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Antarctica, everything. Doesn’t matter where. I want to fight. Long time, no fight. It’s the first time in my career I so long time I don’t fight. I agree to all dates, doesn’t matter what date. Just from UFC waiting.”
