Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Rafael Fiziev: UFC Fight Night Recap
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Ignacio 'La Jaula' Bahamondes faced Rafael Fiziev in a highly anticipated co-main event at UFC Fight Night in Baku, Azerbaijan. The fight served as a significant moment for both fighters, with Bahamondes aiming to break into the top 10 of the lightweight division and Fiziev looking to rebound from recent losses.
Early Rounds: Feeling Out the Opponent
The initial rounds saw both fighters cautiously testing each other, trying to gauge their opponent's strengths and weaknesses. According to live updates, the first round was relatively slow, with Fiziev landing 12 significant strikes and Bahamondes connecting with 13. The second round became more active, with Fiziev landing 36 strikes and securing 0:56 of control time with two successful takedowns. Bahamondes responded with 35 strikes and 0:43 of control.
Prelims and Other Fights
The event also featured a preliminary card with notable fights, including Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev. Blaydes secured a victory by decision after landing 90 strikes and dominating with 5:21 of ground control time. Kuniev landed 63 strikes but couldn't overcome Blaydes' grappling advantage.
Bahamondes' Journey to UFC Fight Night
Bahamondes previously spoke about the pressure and spotlight he felt going into the fight, stating, "Diamonds are created with pressure, and I am a diamond." He also expressed that many fans considered his fight with Fiziev the 'real main event'. Before this fight, Bahamondes had been on a three-fight win streak in the UFC, finishing all of his opponents before the third round. His recent win over Jalin Turner in UFC 313 propelled him towards the top 15 rankings, but he was later removed from the list due to the arrival of Joel Álvarez.
Looking Ahead
This fight against Rafael Fiziev represents a crucial opportunity for Ignacio Bahamondes to climb the lightweight ranks and establish himself as a title contender. The result of the Bahamondes vs. Fiziev clash remains to be seen, but it promises to be a memorable contest for MMA fans.
