Rafael Fiziev wants Dan Hooker next.
UFC on ABC 8: Rafael Fiziev post-fight interview
UFC on ABC 8 winner Rafael Fiziev talks to reporters post-fight after his unanimous decision victory over Ignacio Bahamondes.
Rafael Fiziev already has his next opponent in mind, and it’s one many fans would likely be in favor of.
Fiziev called out fellow veteran Dan Hooker following his latest win in the octagon. Fiziev defeated Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC on ABC 8 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 32-year-old liked the type of fight he got in with Bahamondes, being the shorter fighter, and would like to replicate that in his next one with Hooker.
“In my mind, first one after this tall guy is Dan Hooker,” Fiziev said at the UFC on ABC 8 post-fight press conference. “He’s another tall guy, and I like fighting against tall guys.”
Apart from the stylistic matchup, Fiziev also wants to fight Hooker due to his standing in the promotion. Hooker currently sits at No. 6 in the UFC official lightweight rankings – a spot that Fiziev once held prior to his three-fight losing skid, which he broke Saturday.
“He’s a man. He’s a man. How many crazy fights does he have in there?” Fiziev said. “He deserves one more crazy fight. He has a place now (in the rankings). I don’t believe this place. When I lost to (Mateusz) Gamrot, I didn’t lose that place, really. It was an injury. So this place he now holds, I want to take it back if that’s OK.”
As far as the win, Fiziev is happy he was able to get his hand raised in home soil. He also snapped a three fight losing streak that had him winless in almost three years. Fiziev very much missed the feeling of winning.
“I’m so happy,” Fiziev said. “I lost three times, and it’s been a long time since I felt that feeling. Right now, I win in front of my people and in my land. I’m so happy. I cannot explain.”
