Born on March 5, 1993, in Korday, Kazakhstan, Rafael Fiziev has an Azerbaijani father and a Russian mother.
However, he moved away from Kyrgyzstan due to religious discrimination.
Highlights
- His interest in combat sports started early when his father bought boxing gloves for him and his cousins and encouraged them to spar.
- In 2017, Rafael Fiziev posted a heartfelt photo of his parents holding his baby, capturing a special moment as they stepped into the role of grandparents.
- The title “Ataman” was historically given to Cossack and haidamak leaders and the supreme commanders of the Cossack armies in the Russian Empire.
In 2021, he stopped representing Kyrgyzstan in the UFC and relocated to Phuket, Thailand.
That same year, he became a citizen of Azerbaijan and began representing the country in his fights.
Rafael Fiziev debuted professionally in the China-based promotion W.I.N Fighting Championship, where he impressed everyone with his Muay Thai skills.
He finished his opponent, Sam Bastin, with a flying knee in the first round.
However, W.I.N FC only held that one event, which led him to move on to another promotion, MMA Kyrgyzstan.
Rafael Fiziev’s Journey From Childhood Sparring On The Influence Of His Father To UFC Success
When he was young, his family moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, the home country of UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Fiziev’s interest in combat sports started early when his father bought boxing gloves for him and his cousins and encouraged them to spar.
At first, Fiziev was often on the losing end of these matches, which led him to shy away from fighting for a while.
But fighting seemed to be in his future. At eleven, after experiencing bullying at a new school, he took up Muay Thai to defend himself.
Although he focused on Muay Thai, Fiziev also trained in other martial arts, such as boxing, combat sambo, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling.
His dedication to mastering various fighting techniques eventually earned him a spot in the UFC, where he showcased his remarkable skills on the biggest stage of mixed martial arts.
Rafael Fiziev Honors His Family Heritage With The Nickname ‘Ataman‘
In 2017, Rafael Fiziev shared a photo of his parents holding his baby, marking a special moment as they embraced their role as grandparents.
Fiziev is married to Kamilla, whom he met while living in Kyrgyzstan.
Further, Rafael Fiziev chose the nickname “Ataman” to honor his mixed Central-Asian heritage.
The title “Ataman” was historically given to leaders of the Cossacks and haidamaks and the supreme military commanders of the Cossack armies in the Russian Empire.
This nickname reflects Fiziev’s deep respect for his cultural roots and connection to the region’s history.
Additional Information
- On April 29, 2016, Rafael Fiziev competed in the Toyota Marathon Tournament. In the quarter-finals, he won against Ruslan Rybakov by decision and then knocked out Phakhow Darbphong in the semi-finals.
- In the final, he faced Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy, who defeated him by decision.
- Fiziev also participated in the 2017 Toyota Marathon 154 lb tournament. In the final, he rematched Sorgraw Petchyindee Academy and lost again by decision.
