Rafael Fiziev will face Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Fight Night 280 in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 27. The fight brings two hungry lightweights to the top of the card at the promotion’s second visit to Baku.
Event details
The show takes place on June 27 in Baku, Azerbaijan. UFC Fight Night 280 marks the promotion’s second trip to the city. The main event is a 155-pound bout between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres.
Fighters and records
Rafael Fiziev, 33, was born in Kazakhstan but says his nationality is Azerbaijani because his father is from Azerbaijan. He is a muay thai striker who once ran a six-fight winning streak in the lightweight division. Fiziev has fallen to No. 11 in the rankings after a difficult stretch. He has lost four of his last five fights and also missed time with an ACL injury that required surgery.
Manuel Torres, 31, has been strong in the Octagon. Torres is 5-1 in UFC fights and sits at No. 14 in the lightweight rankings. He ended last year with two big first-round TKO wins: a quick TKO of Drew Dober and another first-round TKO against Grant Dawson.
Recent form and notable opponents
Fiziev’s recent losses have come against top runners in the division. During his rough run he was beaten by Justin Gaethje twice, Mateusz Gamrot, and most recently Mauricio Ruffy. The combination of high-level opponents and the ACL surgery has slowed his momentum.
Torres has built momentum with fast finishes. His back-to-back knockouts of Dober and Dawson raised his profile and moved him up the rankings. Torres will look to keep his run going when he meets Fiziev in Baku.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Rafael Fiziev | Lost to Mauricio Ruffy (most recent loss) |
| Manuel Torres | 1st-round TKO vs. Grant Dawson (most recent win) |
Other fights on the card
The event will feature several other bouts already booked. Notable fights include Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Abus Magomedov, Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira, and Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson. More matchups may be added as the date approaches.
UFCcoverage notes this card gives Fiziev a chance to headline a show in a country he claims as his own. Torres will aim to continue his strong run and move higher in the lightweight standings.
