“Ataman” is bruised but not broken.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Rafael Fiziev suffered a second-round TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy in the “Featured” Fight of UFC 325 last night (Sat.,
Jan. 31, 2026) inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (watch highlights).
Hours after the defeat, Fiziev addressed his fans on his Instagram Story, offering a candid and heartfelt reflection on the fight.
“Greetings to everyone. Salaam, Alaikum. What do I want to say? There’s nothing to say. We really took a beating,” Fiziev said in Kazak. “My head got smashed up pretty badly. What can you do? I lived the life that I had the courage for. Yes, but I possess the inner strength and the necessary courage to face it, and I believe that every single one of us carries a unique kind of bravery for the specific life we live.”
“I am a true fighter at heart,” he continued. “I will certainly make my return to the stage. I will continue pushing my limits, constantly improving my skills, and always trying to move forward. Furthermore, I will do my absolute best to make everyone feel truly happy and proud with my future victories. I’ll handle this. Thank you all for your support. I didn’t manage to make everyone happy. It didn’t work out, but it will next time, guys.”
Fiziev’s loss at UFC 325 was only the second knockout of his 18-fight professional career, highlighting how dangerous and well-rounded the Lightweight division is. The 32-year-old has now lost four of his last five fights, though it’s worth noting that two of those defeats came at the hands of Justin Gaethje and one was an injury loss when he tore his knee against Mateusz Gamrot.
Despite the setback, Fiziev remains a respected competitor and recently secured a big win over rising star Ignacio Bahamondes in Azerbaijan last year, snapping a three-fight skid and proving he can still compete at a high level.
For complete UFC 325 results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.
