Rafael Fiziev certainly won his fair share of fans.
Fiziev enjoyed an impressive win over Marc Diakiese in their lightweight encounter on the main card of UFC Fight Island 2 last night.
The Kyrgyzstani displayed brilliant head movement and striking, including a number of brutal and heavy body kicks throughout the 15-minute contest on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
However, there was one moment in particular that stood out and that was when he entered the matrix while dodging what looked to be a fight-ending head kick from Diakiese.
You can watch it below:
HE. IS. THE. ONE. 🤯@RafaelFiziev #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/D8y7MPuIkM
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 19, 2020
FIZIEV IS IN THE MATRIX #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/VT6XYxqX44
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 19, 2020
Fiziev Has History Of Entering The Matrix
As we later learned, it wasn’t the first time Fiziev — who is also a kickboxing coach for Tiger Muay Thai — has entered the matrix.
It’s something that seems to be a regular feature of his game based on this clip from a fight in Thailand.
Rafael Fiziev been living in the Matrix for years! #UFCFightIsland2 pic.twitter.com/MIA03QcURn
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) July 19, 2020
For his and Diakiese’s efforts, they were both rewarded with Fight of the Night honors as they took home an extra $50,000.
Fiziev’s reaction notably went viral.
Pure joy! 🤑@RafaelFiziev reacts to his $50K bonus.
( Via Saytus / IG ) pic.twitter.com/ZHvninv7rY
— UFC (@ufc) July 19, 2020
Of course, it also reopened the fighter pay debate as many felt professional fighters like Fiziev shouldn’t have to be this excited about earning $50,000 — especially as that bonus was likely more than his fight purse.
But that’s a story for another day.
