Rising UFC star Rafael Fiziev finished Rafael dos Anjos, issues bizarre call-out to tennis star Rafa Nadal

Rafael Fiziev defeated Rafael dos Anjos at the UFC show Saturday. Photo by Getty Images Rafael Fiziev scored the biggest win of his career Saturday when he finished Rafael dos Anjos. The rising lightweight, who warred with Conor McGregor this week, challenged Rafa Nadal to a fight.

It is unlikely, though unclear, if Nadal would actually accept. LAS VEGAS — A new lightweight star in the UFC announced himself Saturday as rising contender Rafael Fiziev finished Rafael dos Anjos in style at the Apex in Las Vegas. Fiziev, the first Azerbaijan athlete to compete in the world’s premier combat sports organization, knocked dos Anjos out in the fifth round and then used his time on the microphone to challenge another Rafa to a fight — tennis great Rafa Nadal.

Fiziev’s win earned him a performance-related bonus but he was not the only ultimate fighter to receive an extra $50,000 check as heavyweight slugger Chase Sherman received a bonus for his big knockout win over Jared Vanderaa. Michael Johnson and Jamie Mullarkey both walked away with an additional $50,000 for their ‘Fight of the Night,’ as per the UFC. Keep scrolling for photos, videos, and other highlights from the main UFC card this weekend.

Jamie Mullarkey and Michael Johnson collided in one of the best fights of the night. Jamie Mullarkey edged Michael Johnson in a lightweight three-rounder. Photo by Getty ImagesPhotos from Jamie Mullarkey and Michael Johnson’s lightweight fight, a three-rounder that opened the main card of UFC’s “Fight Night” event at the Apex in Las Vegas, show just how thrilling their bout was as they combined to throw an extraordinary 412 strikes from 15 minutes of action.

—UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022It was a fight in which both athletes suffered moments in which they appeared dazed and confused after absorbing one too many shots — each one seemingly more thunderous than the other. Fists flew fast, leg kicks got launched, with Johnson scoring a knockdown with a huge left hook. Mullarkey survived the vulnerable moment and rallied in the second with combinations, and then again in the third, to escape with a narrow win thanks to scores of 29-28 twice outweighing a 28-29 to Johnson.

Mullarkey’s face looked like it was covered in blood as he awaited the official announcement — one which angered Johnson, who appeared to think he’d done more than enough to claim the win for himself. —UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022Aiemann Zahabi scored a unanimous decision win over Ricky Turcios. Aiemann Zahabi kicked Ricky Turcios in their UFC bantamweight fight.

Photo by Getty ImagesAiemann Zahabi out-landed Ricky Turcios in every round of their three-round fight, connecting with 54 of his 105 attempts for a 51% accuracy rate while limiting Turcios to 27 connects from 235 for a meager 11% accuracy. Victory advanced Zahabi’s pro MMA record to nine wins (five knockouts, two submissions, and two decisions) against two losses. Chase Sherman knocked out Jared Vanderaa.

Chase Sherman won his heavyweight fight with a third-round finish. Photo by Getty ImagesChase Sherman bucked a four-fight losing skid to return to winning ways in thrilling fashion as he dispatched Jared Vanderaa in their heavyweight fight Saturday. The sluggers produced a fun fight by throwing a combined 502 shots — with Sherman being more effective with his striking.

Sherman pretty much clubbed Vanderaa to the floor. Chase Sherman gets his hand raised after obliterating Jared Vanderaa. Photo by Getty ImagesThe finish came in the third round and despite the heavy, back-and-forth action in the early rounds, Sherman showed that he had enough left in the gas tank to unload with as many punches as it was necessary to force an early finish.

Watch the devastating beatdown right here:—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 10, 2022Sherman, who advanced his pro MMA record to 16 wins (15 knockouts and one decision) against 10 losses with the victory, said it “felt great” to get the result he wanted. “I’ve been in the UFC for 13 fights and I ain’t done shit, yet,” he said in a post-match victory speech.  “I’ve got to get off this microphone and get back to work.

Next time I do something you can put it in my face. “—UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022Said Nurmegomedov extended his winning run with a decision over Douglas Silva de Andrade. Said Nurmagomedov won his UFC fight.

Photo by Getty ImagesSaid Nurmagomedov appeared to win his bantamweight fight against Douglas Silva de Andrade in the first two rounds alone as he looked the superior combatant in both rounds. Despite his famous surname, as well as hailing from the Dagestan region in Russia, one might expect Nurmagomedov to be a fighter seeking a ground game battle. However, in the opener, Nurmagomedov showed that he was highly competent on his feet, attacking Silva de Andrade with flashy moves.

That kicking game of his extended into the second — another round in which he out-threw and out-landed his opponent in terms of strikes. Perhaps letting his foot off the gas slightly in the third, Silva de Andrade mounted something of a comeback in the third but it was ultimately too little to late for him to steal anything on the judges’ scorecards. Referee Herb Dean raised Said Nurmagomedov’s arm after his big win Saturday.

Said Nurmagomedov celebrates his UFC win. Photo by Getty ImagesWith victory, Nurmagomedov advanced his pro MMA record to 16 wins (four knockouts, four submissions, and eight decisions) against two defeats. —UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2022Caio Borralho scored a comfortable decision win over Armen Petrosyan.

Ciao Borralho celebrates his UFC win over Armen Petrosyan. Photo by Getty ImagesTakedowns proved the difference in Caio Borralho and Armen Petrosyan’s middleweight bout — the penultimate fight of the evening. Not only did Borralho take his opponent down — in each and every round — he also knew what to do while there.

In the first round he tried to work a rear-naked choke, in the second he sought a guillotine finish, and in the third Petrosyan fought back — and may well have benefitted had it been a five-rounder. In a three-round format, though, the fight was Borralho’s. With victory, Borralho advanced his pro MMA record to 12 wins (four knockouts, three submissions, and five decisions) against one defeat.

Lightweight fighters Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev competed in the main event. Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev touch gloves before the opening round. Photo by Getty ImagesFormer lightweight conqueror Rafael dos Anjos and rising contender Rafael Fiziev took part in a potential changing of the guard Saturday.

The two fighters are at different ends of their careers when comparing the legendary status dos Anjos has enjoyed for many years and the exciting striking of divisional newcomer Fiziev. Ahead of the bout, there were many new eyes on Fiziev as Conor McGregor appeared to engage him in Twitter warfare, prompting questions from reporters at a media day Insider attended earlier this week. Explaining the background to the social media confrontation, Fiziev appeared to suggest that McGregor drinks and does drugs before he fires off tweets.

Fiziev did not provide any evidence for his claim. Rafael Fiziev got off to a dream start in his big test against Rafael dos Anjos. Rafael Fiziev put rounds in the bank early on against Rafael dos Anjos.

Photo by Getty ImagesFiziev’s strike variety — from the front kicks to dos Anjos’ face, strikes to the body, and combination work — combined with his ability to thwart the veteran Brazilian’s attempts to take the fight to the floor, saw him excel in the first round. Fiziev maintained that combination work in the second. Though dos Anjos did manage to take Fiziev to the floor, it was not long before the up-and-coming fighter was able to get back to his feet and began controlling the fight from there.

Photos below show Fiziev elated after scoring the biggest win of his career with a left hook knockout that left dos Anjos in a vulnerable position on the floor. Rafael Fiziev finished Rafael dos Anjos. Photo by Getty ImagesReferee Mark Smith prevented Fiziev from doing further damage after dropping dos Anjos with a hard left hook.

Referee Mark Smith withdraws Rafael dos Anjos from the fight in the fifth. Photo by Getty ImagesFiziev raucously celebrated his win after announcing himself as a new lightweight contender. Fiziev raucously celebrated his win after announcing himself as a new lightweight contender.

Photo by Getty ImagesHe mounted the fence to celebrate with his team …Rafael Fiziev. Photo by Getty Images… and pumped his fist into the air before issuing a bizarre call-out. Rafael Fiziev.

Photo by Getty ImagesAfter establishing himself as the best Rafa in UFC, Fiziev wants to be the best Rafa in sport — and challenged tennis star Nadal to a fist fight. Rafael Fiziev challenges Rafa Nadal to a fist-fight. Photo by Getty Images”And now I want to say, we know who is the best Rafa in the UFC,” said Fiziev in his post-fight victory speech.

“So now I want to challenge to find out who is the best Rafa in sport — Rafa Nadal! Come here!”Watch Fiziev’s call-out right here:—ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 10, 2022Re-live Fiziev’s big win over dos Anjos right here:Rafael Fiziev gets his big win. Photo by Getty Images—Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) July 10, 2022Victory advanced Fiziev’s pro MMA record to 12 wins (eight knockouts, one submission, and three decisions) against one loss. There were big finishes earlier in the night.

A general view of the UFC Octagon at the company’s Apex studio in Las Vegas. Photo by Getty ImagesEarlier in the night, there were numerous big wins during the UFC prelims broadcast on ESPN, including Cody Brundage’s thunderous knockout win over Tresean Gore, David Onama sending Garrett Armfield to sleep with an arm-triangle choke, and Kennedy Nzechukwu’s third-round knockout over Karl Roberson. These wins, including others, can be seen right here.

The UFC returns July 16 for a “Fight Night” event in New York. Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez headline the show with a five-round featherweight match. Read the original article on Insider.