“The Highlight” is helping other people.
No. 12-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Rafael Fiziev got back in the win column yesterday (Sat., June 27, 2026), scoring a second-round knockout over Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Baku inside National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan (watch highlights).
It was a massive win for Fiziev, who entered the fight needing a rebound badly.
And apparently, he had some extra motivation heading into his third UFC main event. It came
from one of the unlikeliest places possible: Justin Gaethje, the man who has beaten him twice inside the Octagon.
Like millions of fight fans (literally), “Ataman” watched Gaethje’s historic Lightweight title win over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 two weeks ago. But for Fiziev, Gaethje’s performance was more than just another great fight.
It helped him believe in himself again.
“Justin, man, bro, you have no idea how much you motivated me,” Fiziev told UFC on Paramount. “I wish you jumped into my body and felt how much I love you after your performance, bro. You gave me a lot of motivation because I didn’t believe in myself so much.
“I was thinking, how can I believe in myself again after all of my stuff,” Fiziev continued. “It was so hard. And this guy stepped in the cage and made me happy. When I stepped in the cage tonight, I believed in my power because of this guy. Thanks, Justin. My man.”
During UFC Baku fight week, Fiziev admitted he was surprised UFC offered him a main event spot because he was coming off a knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy (watch highlights). He also knew he had to “show his fireworks” in front of the Baku crowd.
He did exactly that.
Fiziev scored his first knockout win since 2022 and did it against a surging contender who entered the fight with serious momentum and first-round finishing power.
For Fiziev, the win was not just about beating Torres. It was about proving to himself that he still belonged among the most dangerous Lightweights in the world.
All it took was some inspiration from a former opponent who has already shared six rounds of chaos with him.
Pretty fitting, honestly.
For complete UFC Baku results and play-by-play click here.
