Rafael Fiziev credits Justin Gaethje win for restoring belief

Rafael Fiziev stopped Manuel Torres with a second-round knockout at UFC Baku on Saturday, but the lightweight's confidence boost came from an unexpected source — Justin Gaethje, the man who has beaten him twice.

Fiziev watched Gaethje capture the lightweight title against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 two weeks earlier, and the performance hit different. "Justin, man, bro, you have no idea how much you motivated me," Fiziev told UFC on Paramount, per MMA Mania. "I didn't believe in myself so much. I was thinking, how can I believe in myself again after all of my stuff."

How Gaethje's title win reignited Fiziev's self-belief

The No. 12-ranked lightweight admitted during fight week that he was surprised UFC gave him another main event slot after his knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy. Fiziev had not finished anyone since 2022 and needed to prove he still belonged among the division's most dangerous fighters.

He did exactly that against Torres, a surging contender with first-round finishing power and serious momentum heading into the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan. Fiziev landed a wild spinning kick to secure his first knockout in over three years. "When I stepped in the cage tonight, I believed in my power because of this guy," Fiziev said of Gaethje. "Thanks, Justin. My man."

Fiziev and Gaethje have shared six rounds together across two fights, both wins for "The Highlight." Now Gaethje's latest performance helped Fiziev rediscover the belief that carried him back into the win column.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Rafael Fiziev admits Justin Gaethje’s historic win helped him regain his confidence — ‘I didn’t believe in myself anymore’