Rafael Fiziev’s wheel kick KO stuns UFC world in ‘wild’ war

A lightweight contender has moved into the UFC consciousness with a stunning finish which has rarely been seen before in the sport.

Crazy finish indeed. Photo: Fox Sports

Kazakh fighter Rafael Fiziev has delivered just the thirteenth wheel kick finish in UFC history in a stunning end to his lightweight war against Brad Riddell.

In an epic battle that lasted the best part of three rounds, the pair slugged out an epic fight on what had been a fairly finish-heavy card.

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The co-main event stole the show as the 14th ranked Fiziev landed the perfect timing on the wheel kick to knock Riddell out on his feet. Riddell didn’t fall to the canvas but was frozen against the cage.

He then went to go for a take-down but had nothing behind it and left referee Herb Dean no choice but to wave it off.

RAFAEL FIZIEV BY WHEEL KICK 😱

That's five straight for @RafaelFiziev! #UFCVegas44pic.twitter.com/xNDKZ7a1Qk

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 5, 2021

Having slugged out two and a half rounds, it was a huge finish and the Kazakh’s fifth straight win.

“I waited for this moment for three rounds,” Fiziev said after the fight. “I didn’t turn because I know when he goes this way he drops his hand down and he forgets about spinning back kicks. Sometimes it happens.”

Fiziev then hilarious called out actor Vince Vaughn as his next fight, saying “I love him”.

But the love in didn’t end there as he paid tribute to Riddell.

“My brother I’m so sorry, you’ll come back,” Fiziev said. “I love him. When I met him, I loved him from the first second. He’s a very good guy, a very nice person, and I learn from him before and today also. And I hope he comes back.”

Hang that in the Louvre. Photo: Fox Sports

Fiziev also earned himself an extra $50,000 performance of the night bonus in a night that saw four handed out in six early finishes.

And fans and pros alike were blown away by the savage finish.

Bangggggg. Spinning head kick lands for Fiziev and just freezes Riddell in place. Almost looked like Riddell tried to wave it off himself, his body was so shocked it didn't even fall. That was wild. Fiziev is gooooood. Damn.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 5, 2021

Wow 🤩 @RafaelFiziev is a monster! Wow 🤩 @MmaSanford

— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) December 5, 2021

Wow!! What a finish by Fiziev!!
🤯🤯🤯 #UFCVegas44

— Herbert Burns (@HerbertBurnsMMA) December 5, 2021

Wooooow what a finish

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) December 5, 2021

WOW!!! What a crazy ending to that fight! Fiziev is an animal!! He throws heaters for 15min straight! #UFCVegas44

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 5, 2021

That’s impeccable timing on that kick from Fiziev. Just stopped Riddell dead in his tracks.

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 5, 2021

Aussie Jimmy Crute KO'ed in 48 seconds

Jimmy Crute went night night. Photo: Fox Sports

It was a brutal night of finishes including Aussie Jimmy Crute, who lasted less than a minute against American Jamahal Hill.

A quick and brutal right hand stunned Crute early, but the exact same shot left the Aussie in la la land just 20 seconds later.

Before the fight, the ESPN experts had all tipped Crute to claim the W, saying he was looking really good in the preparation, while Hill looked out of sorts.

Hill didn’t forget the fact.
“Everybody who picked me to lose, everybody just doubt me – I don’t know why, what are y’all seeing?” Hill said afterwards.

“Jimmy is a tough dude, he’s unbelievably talented.”
It was Crute’s second straight loss after he lost his last fight to ex-title contender Anthony Smith.

Aldo-Font fight night full card results

Jose Aldo def. Rob Font via unanimous decision

Rafael Fiziev def. Brad Riddell via third-round TKO (2:20)

Jamahal Hill def. Jimmy Crute via first-round KO (0:48)

Clay Guida defeated Leonardo Santos via sub (RNC) (R2, 1:21)

Chris Curtis defeated Brendan Allen via second-round TKO (1:58)

Alex Morono defeated Mickey Gall via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Dusko Todorovic defeated Maki Pitolo via first-round TKO (4:34)

Manel Kape defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov via first-round TKO (4:02)

Bryan Barberena defeated Darian Weeks via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Cheyanne Vlismas defeated Mallory Martin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

William Knight defeated Alonzo Menifield via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Claudio Puelles defeated Chris Gruetzemacher via sub (kneebar) (R3, 3:25)

Vince Morales defeated Louis Smolka by first-round KO (2:02)

Originally published as Rafael Fiziev’s wheel kick KO stuns UFC world in ‘wild’ war