Injuries have derailed many a promising career in the UFC. From Dominick Cruz to Cain Velasquez, some very prominent stars lost the best years of their lives and careers to injuries. Which is why Rafael Fiziev suffering two ACL injuries in three years was so concerning for him and his fans.

Fortunately, the lightweight star has made a full recovery and set to get back into the Octagon. However, as ‘Ataman’ sets up to face Justin Gaethje in a much-awaited rematch at UFC 313, let us take a closer look at the injury that sidelined him for more than a year.

Rafael Fiziev suffers brutal injury against Mateusz Gamrot

Rafael Fiziev went into his Fight Night clash against Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023, the Azerbaijani was looking to get a good win and make a push to get into the title picture. An incredibly close loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 had snapped Fiziev’s six-fight win streak. And the Azerbaijani was hoping that a win over Gamrot would have get him back on track. And things were going well for ‘Ataman’.

In his last fight, the Azerbaijani won the first round, but unfortunately, disaster struck in the second. As Fiziev went for a right body kick on Gamrot, his left knee gave way suddenly and ‘Ataman’ found himself on the ground, clearly in a lot of pain. The doctor determined that Fiziev was unable to continue and Gamrot was awarded a TKO victory. And this kept the Azerbaijani out of action for the entirety of 2024.

“When his [Gamrot’s] fight [with Hooker at UFC 305] finished, I talked to my manager, like, ‘Bro, I want to fight him. I just want to fight him because I want to show to myself, well, I can beat him, and I believe in my skills, and I still want to finish [checking] my skills with him. So, also good. I’m ready for him also,'” Fiziev told ‘MMA Fighting’ in an interview last year. But, that turned out not be the case. Instead, fate has given ‘Ataman’ an even better matchup.

Rafael Fiziev returning from a torn ACL

Rafael Fiziev underwent surgery shortly after the Gamrot fight to repair his ACL. “Just done surgery on my left acl. Same injury I had 3 years ago. I will come back even stronger. Recovery starts now. Thanks for the support,” ‘Ataman’ said in an X post in October 2023.

By late last year, the Azarbaijani was fit and raring to get back into action, claiming he would “fight anybody”. And Fiziev, by pure chance, has got an excellent matchup for his first fight back. After Dan Hooker pulled out of his UFC 313 clash against Justin Gaethje due to injury, ‘Ataman’ took the fight on short notice.

Not only will this fight give Fiziev have an opportunity to avenge his UFC 286 majority decision loss to ‘The Highlight’ but also has the potential to put him in title contention. right away. What do you think about Rafael Fiziev’s ACL injury? Do you think he will be the same, or even better fighter when he comes back?