Rafael Fiziev is an Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist and Muay Thai fighter of Russian descent. The 5 feet 8 inches tall athlete is the first fighter to represent Azerbaijan in UFC history and has recorded a $1 million net worth.
Rafael moved from being an uninterested boxer to a fighter with more than 30 wins in kickboxing and no fewer than 12 wins in MMA. From his birth to family, career, wealth, and body measurement, here is everything to know about the Ataman.
His Bio and Family
Rafael Fiziev was born to an Azerbaijani police officer father and a Russian mother. He was born on March 5, 1993, in Korday, a village in the Jambyl Region of Kazakhstan.
He was raised in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and led a life away from fame and cameras.
As a child, he was exposed to boxing and received boxing gloves from his father. Unfortunately after fighting his cousin who also received the gift of a boxing glove, Fixiev got beaten and didn’t want to fight again.
Afterward, Fiziev was wrapped in between school bullying and was then motivated to start Muay Thai. He also trained in combat sambo, boxing, Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling.
What is Rafael Fiziev’s Net Worth and How Did He Make His Wealth?
Fiziev’s net worth is estimated at $1 million. He is one of the top-earning MMA fighters.
He has recorded his earnings from different sources, mostly through his professional fighting career.
Here is every way the fighter has gained his wealth.
Fiziev Made a Part of His Wealth His Initial Career as a Police Officer
Long before Fiziev became a renowned fighter, he worked as a police officer after completing the police academy. His exact salary at the time is still in the shadows but it has contributed to his fortune.
Well, his career as a police officer did not last long before he left. According to him, he left because the police in Kyrgyzstan did not have justice.
With this and with the encouragement of his father, he moved to Thailand to pursue an MMA career.
He participated in Amateur Muay Thai Competitions
Fiziev’s career landed him in competitive amateur fights which is a major contributor to his wealth.
Some of his earliest career fights were competing in the annual amateur Muaythai competitions organized by the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur.
On September 21, 2011, he won the IWorld Championships by decision in the fourth round against Antero Hywdnen.
Again in 2016, he marked another career victory with another victory against Serjio Villa to make the Round of 32 at the IMFA World Championships.
The same year, he fought Facson Perrine and Martynas Jasunais where he won through a Decision to reach the IMFA Round of 16 and Quarter Final respectively.
After a series of victories, the fighter faced a loss in the semi-final in a fight against Denis Kolotygin.
He Fought For the Toyota Marathon
Ataman’s career competing for the Toyota Marathon is one of his most renowned career highlights and contributors to both Rafael’s fame and fortune.
This aspect of his life saw him beating and being beaten by some contenders in the game. Looking at it from a closer range, after putting up good fights, he finally reached the quarter-final after beating Ruslan Rybakov by decision on April 29, 2016.
The semi-final also turned out in his favor when he claimed yet another victory against Phakhow Darbphong 191 in a knockout.
Nonetheless, he couldn’t claim the 2016 title since he lost the finals to Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy by decision.
Continuing with his Muay Thai career, Fiziev made heads turn towards him when he won several fights and crowned them with a massive final victory over Jilas. He won only in the second round by knockout.
Another Contributor to His $1M Net Worth is His MMA Career
Rafael made his MMA debut in 2015. He then fought in several promotions such as W.I.N FC, Boroda FC, and Primal FC: Dark Moon Rising. He then fought in Asian regional promotions like ROAD FC as well as the American promotion Titan FC before he signed with UFC.
In his lightweight debut, he fought against Sam Bastin in Shenzen, China. In the match, he won by knockout in the first round.
His career continued with Boroda FC and on October 10, 2016, he won via submission in a fight against Gunduz Nabiev.
Rafael made his Road FC debut in June 2017 in a match against Kim Seungyeon. Following a win, he contested again over Nandi-Erdene Mungunsooj, won, and moved to Titan FC and later UFC.
At UFC, he recorded no were than 3 “Performances of the Night” and “Fight of the Night”.
See Also: Who Is Azamat Murzakanov? 7 Unknown Facts About The MMA Fighter
His Fighting Records Which Have Helped in Building His Fortune
Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of Night (Three times) vs. Marc Diakiese, Bobby Green, and Justin Gaethje
- Performance of the Night (three times) vs. Renato Moicano, Brad Ridell, and Rafael dos Anjos
- Combat Press
- He was the Breakthrough Fighter of the Year in 2021
Muay Thai
- Kyrgyz Muaythai Foundation
- Rafael is a three-time Muay Thai Champion in 2007, 2008, and 2009
- International Federation of Muaythai Association
- IFMA World Thai Championships Junior (2009)
- Kazakhstan National Championship (2011)
- IFMA World Championships (B-class) – 71kg (2016)
- World Muaythai Federation
- 2010 WMF Intercontinental -63.5 kg Champion
His Other Career Records
Kickboxing
- Total fights: 47
- Wins: 39
- By knockout: 29
- Losses 8
MMA
- Total Fights: 15
- Wins: 12
- By knockout: 8
- By submission: 1
- By decision: 3
- Losses: 3
- By knockout: 2
- By decision: 1
- Wins: 12
Rafael Fiziev Works Kickboxing coach in Tiger Muay Thai & MMA
Rafael Fiziev earns from his career as a kickboxing coach in Tiger Muay Thai & MMA in Thailand.
Although his fortune through this career remains unknown, some reports claim that kickboxing coaches earn an average of $21 per hour.
His Endorsement Deals
One of the ways that Rafael Fiziev makes his fortune is through endorsement deals. On his Instagram page, he has endorsed a science-based product brand known as Granite Supplements.
He also endorses Goodies – a Swiss brand known for the production of numerous snacks such as protein and nutritional bars, cereals; and nuts and fruits.
Fast Facts About Rafael Fiziev
- He is a devout Shia Muslim and he is known for expressing his faith on social media.
- Rafael Fiziev was involved in a housing controversy when claims stemmed up that he owed rent for some time in Thailand where he primarily resides. He, however, denied the claim.
- He once stopped competing in his home country, claiming the discrimination against Shia
- Rafael Fiziev is married to Kamilla Fiziev and have at least one child together
- Fiziev’s listed height is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) and his weight is 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb).
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