Rafael Fiziev Dominates Ignacio Bahamondes in Emotional UFC Baku Return, Orolbai Silences Crowd with Brutal Kimura Submission

Rafael Fiziev delivered a masterclass performance in front of his home fans at UFC Baku, securing a dominant unanimous decision victory over rising prospect Ignacio Bahamondes. The bout, which served as the co-main event of the promotion’s first-ever card in Azerbaijan, marked Fiziev’s emotional homecoming — and he rose to the occasion in style.

Fiziev, the first Azerbaijani-born fighter to compete in the UFC, walked to the octagon with the crowd in full support. Once the fight began, he used every ounce of experience and technical skill to shut down Bahamondes, a fighter known for his range, creativity, and recent success. Fiziev immediately imposed his will by controlling the center of the cage, throwing powerful counters that prevented Bahamondes from establishing his rhythm.

In the first round, Fiziev landed the cleanest shot of the frame — a stunning left hook that visibly wobbled Bahamondes and ignited the Baku crowd. He continued to pepper the Chilean fighter with kicks, quick flurries, and slick lateral movement.

As Bahamondes tried to adjust by turning to grappling in the second round, Fiziev’s takedown defense and improved clinch work were on full display. He even scored takedowns of his own, flipping the script and controlling from top position. Bahamondes attempted a guillotine choke during one of the scrambles, but Fiziev quickly escaped and returned to his striking dominance.

The final round saw Bahamondes pushing forward with urgency, but he couldn't match Fiziev's accuracy or timing. Fiziev landed punishing combinations to the head and body, and even when Bahamondes found some success with elbows and kicks, it was Fiziev’s power and volume that stood out. A brief scramble on the ground toward the end saw Bahamondes cut Fiziev with an elbow, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.

All three judges scored the bout 30-27 in favor of Fiziev, who snapped a three-fight skid and proved he's still a major player in the UFC lightweight division.

After the fight, an emotional Fiziev addressed the crowd:

“It was a very good fight. I cannot lose in my home. I cannot lose in front of my people. Azerbaijan deserves to be happy. These people deserve to be happy. These people deserve that and I’m happy to represent my homeland.”

The win improves Fiziev’s record to 13-3 and gives him momentum as he looks to climb back up the lightweight rankings. It’s his first victory since defeating Rafael dos Anjos in 2022, with recent setbacks coming against top-tier opposition like Justin Gaethje and Mateusz Gamrot.

Orolbai Submits Musayev in Stunning Spoiler Performance

In a highly anticipated matchup earlier in the night, Myktybek Orolbai played spoiler against local favorite Tofiq Musayev, securing a brutal first-round kimura submission to silence the Azerbaijani crowd. Originally scheduled as a lightweight contest, the fight was moved to a 165-pound catchweight after Orolbai failed to make the 156-pound non-title limit.

The miss didn’t seem to affect Orolbai’s performance. From the outset, he pressured Musayev, quickly shooting for a takedown and grounding the powerful striker. Orolbai stayed heavy on top, maintaining control and eventually transitioning to isolate Musayev’s arm for the kimura. Once the grip was locked in, Orolbai cranked with precision, forcing Musayev to grimace in pain before tapping at 4:35 of Round 1.

“That was a surprise,” Orolbai said afterward. “We knew he was a great fighter, so this was a little bit of a surprise.”

It was a bounce-back victory for Orolbai (14-2-1), who had suffered the first loss of his UFC career in his previous bout against Mateusz Rebecki. Now 3-1 in the Octagon, the Kyrgyzstani fighter continues to build his reputation as a dangerous submission specialist and a threat in the deeper waters of the lightweight division — or potentially at welterweight should he move up.

UFC Baku Significance

UFC Baku marked a monumental moment for the sport in Azerbaijan, with homegrown talent finally getting the chance to perform on the biggest stage in front of a supportive local crowd. While some local favorites faltered, Rafael Fiziev’s commanding win stood as a proud moment for

the nation, showcasing both his elite skills and the passion of Azerbaijani fight fans.