UFC Baku results: Fiziev stops Torres, biggest winners and losers
Rafael Fiziev knocked Manuel Torres unconscious with a spinning wheel kick just 15 seconds into the second round at UFC Baku on Saturday, stopping a five-fight skid that had threatened to derail his lightweight career. Per MMA Fighting, Fiziev floored Torres with the kick at National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan and finished with ground strikes. The win moves him to 2-4 in his last six.
Fiziev was visibly emotional after the stoppage. MMA Mania reported he was nearly in tears — understandable given he entered on the back of a TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy. "The emotions were running high," MMA Mania wrote, noting the confidence boost for a striker who once ranked among the division's most feared. He opened the fight with sharp body kicks and a reactive takedown, weathered Torres' southpaw jab late in round one, then uncorked the wheel kick cold to start the second. A potential matchup with Dan Hooker looms.
Almabayev, Yakhyaev shine on undercard
Asu Almabayev submitted Charles Johnson via Suloev stretch with two minutes left in round three, per MMA Fighting's live results. The rare finish capped a dominant performance in which Almabayev timed Johnson's naked kicks for easy takedowns and controlled scrambles from top position. Johnson's corner begged him between rounds to stop throwing single kicks — he opened the third with five more, leading directly to the takedown that set up the submission. Almabayev has won three straight since his only UFC loss to Manel Kape.
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev needed all of eight seconds to knock out Julius Walker, per MMA Mania. The 25-year-old Russian countered Walker's opening jab with a right hand that ended the fight instantly, picking up a performance bonus and moving to 10-0 overall. Walker drops to 1-3 in the UFC with back-to-back knockout losses. Matheus Camilo upset hometown fighter Nazim Sadykhov in 91 seconds, handing Sadykhov his second straight first-round knockout defeat.
In the co-main event, Shara Magomedov edged Michel Pereira by unanimous decision after 15 minutes. Abus Magomedov submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk with a first-round guillotine choke, improving to four wins in his last five despite lingering questions about his gas tank. Ikram Aliskerov took a decision over Brunno Ferreira on the main card.
The UFC returns to Las Vegas next Saturday for a Fight Night card at the Apex.
Photo: Vomnx / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
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