UFC Fighter Contemplating Career Move After 3 Consecutive Losses

Rafael Fiziev, a prominent figure in the UFC's lightweight division, is contemplating a significant career shift following his recent loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Known for his striking prowess, Fiziev has been a formidable competitor at lightweight. However, after his latest fight, he is seriously considering a move down to the featherweight division after having lost 3 consecutive fights at lightweight.

In a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Fiziev revealed that his weight cut for UFC 313 was unexpectedly effortless, even on short notice.

The Azerbaijani fighter stated, "I really cut weight very easy this time, and this time was short notice. Very easy, bro." This experience has led him to reassess his optimal weight class, acknowledging that he is among the smaller fighters in the lightweight division.

Fiziev's potential transition to featherweight stems from his belief that he can be more competitive at 145 pounds. He expressed confidence in his ability to challenge the top contenders in the featherweight division, asserting that his arrival would pose significant challenges for his new competitors.

"These guys have trouble if I come in there,” Fiziev said. “They'll be in trouble, man, everybody."

The featherweight division is already stacked with talent, including former champions and top contenders known for their versatility and skill. Fiziev's entry into this weight class could add a new layer of excitement and competition especially now that their most recent champion, Ilia Topuria has moved up a weight class.

Fiziev's contemplation of this move reflects a broader trend in MMA, where fighters seek to optimize their performance by finding the weight class that best suits their physical attributes and fighting style. If he proceeds with this transition, it will be intriguing to see how his skills translate to the featherweight division and what impact he will have among the elite fighters at 145 pounds.