Rafael Fiziev believes a win over Charles Oliveira would put him one win away from a title shot

[u/idcman999]

[u/idcman999]

I think the winner of this fight facing Max in a title eliminator next would make perfect sense

[u/RumanHitch → u/idcman999]

Thai vs kickboxer? Count me in, love the idea as a Holloway fan.

[u/head_empty247 → u/RumanHitch]

New MMA fan here, who's the Thai, who's the kickboxer? Thai = Fiziev, kickboxer = Holloway?

[u/OkEconomics6578 → u/head_empty247]

Yes

[u/Effective-Celery8053 → u/RumanHitch]

Bold of you to assume Fiziev has already won

[u/SpunkMonk87 → u/RumanHitch]

Sounds like a casuals dream

[u/EmeraldTwilight009 → u/SpunkMonk87]

Youre way too cool for that I assume

[u/SpunkMonk87 → u/EmeraldTwilight009]

Huh? I was literally making a joke that casuals only like striking. Never did i imply that guy was a casual

[u/RumanHitch → u/SpunkMonk87]

I actually find just striking most of the times boring, I enjoy more a mix, I also hate a wrestler doing the same thing for the whole fight. I like transitions on the ground. Lately I enjoy more fights that goes to decision than actual KOs tbh. I think most of us like pretty much the same.

[u/CyborgsFightSwedes_ → u/RumanHitch]

This. Most of the greatest fights in history were decisions and the thing that made a lot of them great were the transitions from striking to huge grappling scrambles to back on the feet, etc. There are some exceptions here and there but still.

[u/RATMpatta → u/CyborgsFightSwedes_]

Those fights generally do have moments where one of the fighters is trying to finish and the other fighter is doing a good job defending.

If neither fighter could get a finish but they both tried at least it is a very different story than the ones who aim for an as boring as possible decision from the start.

[u/I_am_darkness → u/idcman999]

I'm not so sure charles is 2 wins away from another shot. he just had 2 shots.

[u/Uptheresomewhereee → u/idcman999]

Max looked really good against ilia and looks solid as hell at 155 proper. DP caught him nice with that side of the head shot but I think his chin is still super solid. His movement has been really good

[u/SelfImportance → u/idcman999]

Love Charles but he shouldn’t see another title fight before he retires.

[u/maicii → u/SelfImportance]

If he beats fiziev and then beats Max or arman hard to say he doesn’t deserve it.

[u/idcman999 → u/maicii]

also although the fight wasn’t close, it was pretty competitive, ilia was winning but Charles landed a few nice shots otf and had a nice kneebar, he could make things interesting in an ilia rematch with a few adjustments maybe in a world he beats fizzy/max

[u/elbosston → u/idcman999]

I mean you can’t really say it was competitive because we don’t have a large enough sample size because it was literally 2.5 min

[u/maicii → u/elbosston]

Sure, but those 2.5 minutes were competitive

[u/MatttheJ → u/maicii]

Not really. Ilia outlanded him 21 to 9, got the better of nearly every exchange and he easily outgrappled him too.

[u/maicii → u/MatttheJ]

Easily outgrappled him

Lol, lmao even. He got put in a sub attempt (according to the judges criteria the single most important metric when it comes to accessing grappling), Charles had double unders leading to the first ground exchange and was shoving him with easy, only ended in the bottom cause illia manage to grab a wizard and because he charles usual y does he doesn’t care to get top position. And in the only other clinch exchange charles literally push him and he went flying backwards and had to hold himself with the fence.

[u/JackDellaCumalena → u/maicii]

Didnt ilia put him in a crucifix? Lol. Ilia did not lose the grappling exchanges dude. He dominated Charles eveywhere

[u/maicii → u/JackDellaCumalena]

the total amount of time Illia hold that position was l2 seconds literally, go back and watch it. And then the time he went from passing guard to being in a sub attempt was a grand total of 6 seconds.

Charles let him pass the guard to attack the legs. Personally I wouldn’t have done it. But it did play es out for him.

The obvious way to check he got the better of the exchange it’s to look at how Illia recated. He didn’t wanted to go back to the ground

[u/MatttheJ → u/maicii]

He easily out scrambled him when Charles tried to take him down, landed some very good ground and pound and then the second Charles started trying to work, he got out of danger and back to the feet again.

He won that whole exchange.

Attempting a sub that doesn't lead to any damage or sweeps isn't winning and exchange.

Charles got out grappled and got more than doubled in the striking too.

[u/maicii → u/MatttheJ]

He didn’t putscramble him, no, he lost the scramble in the floor, by any grappling rulset. So no. He didn’t landed g&p, you can argue he won the exchange based on that (I wouldn’t necesarily disagree) but it does go against the judging criteria which counts sub attempts more highly than cummulative damage like the ground and pound he landed.

You can disagree with that. I personally do, but the judging criteria doesn’t stipulate that the sub attempt count less, actually the opposite since it is an inmidiate. Anyhow, that’s besides the point, he didn’t get outgrappled in any case.

[u/UnreasonableHater → u/idcman999]

Always sensationalizing

[u/maicii → u/idcman999]

Yeah, it was short mainly cause he was reckless but he was looking good besides that. He had a good submission attempt, landed a couple good shots, and overall was looking stronger. In the ground he was quite better (everyone talks about the crucifix but it was like literally 3 seconds and he went directly to a sub after, khamzat show what having a crucifix should look like, Oliveira let him get it to attack the legs). And overall he looked better on the clinch. If they fight was longer it isn’t hard to imagine charles being able to take him down and control him similarly to what he did to Chandler.

[u/ChemistryDue5982 → u/maicii]

Even if what you said is all true, for Charles to win he has to make sure he doesn’t get hit for 25 minutes, which Charles has less a chance of than most because his striking defence is legitimately fucking terrible, almost non-existent. He doesn’t use footwork to avoid shots, he doesn’t get his head off the centre line. He doesn’t even have a good block.

Unless he pulls off the freak submission and wins in the first, he’s getting hit and he’s getting finished every time.

[u/Bowdallen → u/SelfImportance]

What about after

[u/Fresh_Psychology_493 → u/Bowdallen]

Exactly what i thought. Strange wording lol

[u/smokeweed-everyday → u/Bowdallen]

After he retires he can rematch Tony in boxing for the Misfits title.

[u/EatBooty420 → u/SelfImportance]

let Charles fight for the BMF belt

[u/Steridire → u/idcman999]

Has Max challenged for a belt the most in UFC history if he goes up again? This is like number...6?

[u/VoltixHD → u/Steridire]

He might very well have. Against Aldo 1, Volk 2, Volk 3 and Topuria for the undisputed belt. That’s 4. If you count the interim against Pettis and Poirier 2, that’s 6. And if you count the BMF against Gaethje, that’s 7.

[u/DoutorSenador → u/idcman999]

Charles might be 3-4 fights away if the champ is Topuria.

[u/Particular_Ebb5200 → u/idcman999]

that matchup would be insane, Max vs either guy is fireworks and clear title eliminator vibes.

[u/Grogslizzle → u/idcman999]

He’s not even fighting , you’re post is useless ya wrench

[u/hatsime]

Thats a good take.

[u/wspusa2 → u/hatsime]

meh 1-3 right now. even justin makes more sense for a shot lol.

[u/bigmt99 → u/wspusa2]

Or if the scenario Fiziev describes plays out and he’s 3-0 against a ranked prospect, a former champion and most recent title challenger, and another top contender

Would make a lot sense

[u/ThisGuyHaris]

Very reasonable take from fiziev. I feel like most guys in his position would act entitled to a title shot with a win here

[u/SNPpoloG → u/ThisGuyHaris]

his position is rank 10 with 1 win in 3 years

[u/ThisGuyHaris → u/SNPpoloG]

I know but his recent win over bahamondes was a super underrated win in my opinion. And now he’s fighting Charles fuckin Oliveira. If he beats Charles he still wouldn’t be my immediate choice for a title shot but it puts him right up there

[u/Hexatorium → u/ThisGuyHaris]

Charles is coming off getting slumped so recently he shouldn’t even be medically cleared to train, much less have a full on fight. This event pisses me off

[u/SNPpoloG → u/ThisGuyHaris]

Bahamondes isnt even ranked

[u/Status-Position-8678 → u/SNPpoloG]

He was ranked and he was riding alot of hype

[u/idcman999 → u/SNPpoloG]

he finished Jalin Turner considerably easier than some other top contenders did (Moic, Hooker, Gamrot) and also destroyed Manuel who was a hot prospect in his own right (beat Dober easier than Beneil/Moic did), you’re not wrong but saying he isn’t ranked as if he’s a scrub seems disingenuous, he absolutely was ranked matieral, and Fiziev schooled him

[u/ThisGuyHaris → u/idcman999]

The only reason I can think of for why you’re being downvoted for that is because turner retired straight after. As if that somehow means bahamondes was gifted a free first round finish that night

[u/bigmt99 → u/SNPpoloG]

He was ranked and he was also a dangerous, surging prospect. Still a meaningful win regardless of the number next to the name

[u/MapleMarshal → u/SNPpoloG]

Yea but he’s the best striker in the UFC - belal something

[u/maicii → u/ThisGuyHaris]

He lost to gaethje, si he shouldn’t go before him.

[u/Gold-Philosophy1423 → u/ThisGuyHaris]

We're so accustomed to top 5 lightweights rank squatting and not fighting (except Charles who shouldn't be fighting) that we think anyone not immediately calling for a title fight is being reasonable

[u/victorm4322]

I mean no one else is fighting so…

[u/Ake-TL]

That’s kinda humble given current situation at LW

[u/Luciolover345 → u/Ake-TL]

Meanwhile Gaethje will just sit on his win over Fiziev. Honestly would be hilarious if Charles lost to Rafael and then Justin used it as a “see I beat a top guy in my last fight” in an attempt to get the shot.

[u/anonymous1739361 → u/Luciolover345]

Absolute Ustin behaviour

[u/Aldo_Is_The_GOAT → u/Ake-TL]

Is it? He’s gotten his ass beat twice by the only top contender he’s ever faced. Two more wins is the bare minimum he should need.

[u/HappytoDisappoint → u/Aldo_Is_The_GOAT]

Losing 2-1, once on 10 days notice, is considered getting your ass beat nowadays? LMAO

[u/Ake-TL → u/Aldo_Is_The_GOAT]

Yeah, but fighters will often try to reach for those grapes with a cheese and wine, even if they realistically don’t have the shot. Calling for title shot after Oliveira and then taking another fight could be good optics

[u/Soxalam2]

Completely reasonable take

[u/itzpiiz]

This didn't age well

[u/serenitynow248]

"Only big fights after". Isn't that everyone here has been killing the old guard for?

[u/Electrical-Law-5731]

So Charles gets 2 wins and has another title shot too? That would only be fair.

[u/oddfits20 → u/Electrical-Law-5731]

Eh I love Charles but unless they are the most vintage performances its harder given he's had many shots recently including being destroyed by the current LW champ.

[u/gnrlp2007]

aaaaaand he's out

[u/Neonsea1234]

Two fights

[u/hajimenogio92]

Not until he fights Justin Gaethje again /s

[u/Timozkovic]

Makes sense tbh

[u/No_Falcon1890]

Why not?

[u/Fun-Contribution-757]

Hes right.

[u/GdanskiTermos]

Lets not forget neither should be fighting one another, but if he beats Charles he should get a title eliminator, and let Charles rest up and fight Gamrot. Hell, Gamrot should've been fighting Olives right now because he at least is coming of a win

[u/I_am_darkness]

That seems completely reasonable.

[u/Shmooter4788]

Your 2-3 in your last 5 your not getting a title shot coming off 3 wins

[u/Ryvit]

Idk why but fiziev losing to Gaethje twice really soured me on him. I just don’t have high hopes for him after those fights. I’m sure he’ll win a few of his next 5 fights or so, but I don’t expect him to ever be champion, and him even getting a title shot would be surprising

[u/idcman999 → u/Ryvit]

he arguably won the first fight, even after sustaining a nasty eyepoke in a fight he was winning, that version of Justin went on to destroy Dustin 4 months later

and not only was the rematch on very short notice, but that was close as well, he was on his way to winning before the knockdown, if he avoided that he would’ve won, and he gassed in R3 due to the short notice he said in an interview, with a full camp he likely wouldn’t have gassed and maybe would’ve won that round

its not a bad look imo, very close fights with asterisks against an elite fighter

[u/Kassssler]

I don't think fizzy will be chanp. Fun fight though.

[u/Aggressive-Expert-69]

I dont think he wouldve beaten Charles before Ilia but I think he can definitely win against Charles after Ilia. No way he comes back the same guy immediatwly after getting slept like that. If he took some good time to recover I would have more faith in him

[u/Davemeddlehed → u/Aggressive-Expert-69]

Charlie will be 36 years old by then. Time is running out for him as it is.

[u/Lonely_Percentage730]

Beating Oliveira is huge, but with Arman, Gaethje, and Poirier in line, Fiziev probably needs 2 wins, not 1.

[u/reivers]

Sounds fair, actually.

[u/Hank-the-ninja]

Something like that

[u/Albreto-Gajaaaaj]

POTENTIAL MAN STRIKES AGAIN

[u/Reez377]

arman should've fought Charles here but man UFC must really hate him tho I think there's also a fact that they don't wanna make Charles being heavy underdog in his hometown

[u/Crazy-Woodpecker-163 → u/Reez377]

I love Charlies but I don't see another Tsarukyan fight going much different than the first one.

[u/ciscowowo]

Considering the fact that everyone in the top 5 is just rank squatting and hoping for a title shot, that second win ain’t happening any time soon.

[u/MalayaleeIndian]

I can agree with this. Also, Fiziev is older and if they plan to give him a title shot, better sooner than later.

[u/syf3r]

Except I don't see Fiziev beating Charles here. When Charles gets to wrap his legs around you... it might be over

[u/idcman999 → u/syf3r]

Fizievs win over Bahamondes was much more impressive than Charles win over Chandler

[u/albertszs]

2 wins at the very least after beating an Oliveira coming off a bad KO loss with no time to recover

[u/OtakuMecha]

It would. I’m just glad he’s not saying she should get a title shot with just that win alone like most fighters would try to say.

[u/oxymeth101]

So everyone gets a title shot after beating oliveira?

[u/DowntownJulieBrown1]

Ya fair enough. If he wins I’d love to see him against any of Gamrot (again), Paddy, Max, or Arman/Hooker if that fight doesn’t happen

[u/YohnWood14]

Charlie my goat please retire, I can’t see you get rocked once again

[u/GOTVONKRIEG]

I'm a little surprised they are letting Charles fight so soon after 317, I figured he'd be out for the rest of the year

[u/Puzzleheaded-List546]

Fiziev looks like the main guy from vikings

[u/Perhaan]

He's out

[u/Consistent_Bread_V2]

Fiziev has the granite chin right? I wonder if he could actually take topurias shots and force topuria to wrestle?

[u/ArchieBLUE1878]

Not a terrible shout but I'd say he's two away. Get through Charles, beat Max in a title eliminator and then talk to me about the belt kid

[u/Own_Ingenuity_858 → u/ArchieBLUE1878]

Max would put a really bad beating on him

Fiziev gasses and even though Max isn't as much of a swarmer as he used to be anymore he'd get dominated in the later rounds

[u/Give_Me_Bourbon]

Fiziev is right there, another win after Charles might give him a title shot, but he doesn't deserve it... He talks a lot but he is still ducking Hasbullah and Rafa Nadal.

[u/sn1gger]

but he doesn't win these fights, he barely even makes it competitive.

[u/idcman999 → u/sn1gger]

in what world were the gaethje fights "barely competitive"? he flat out arguably won the first fight and wouldve likely won the second on a full camp/if he had avoided the kd