Rafael Fiziev’s knee continues to offer him issues.
The newest setback for the light-weight contender noticed him compelled to withdraw from a scheduled principal occasion bout reverse former champion Charles Oliveira, which was to happen at UFC Rio on Oct. 11. Mateusz Gamrot has since stepped in to exchange Fiziev.
Fiziev posted an replace on the harm to his Instagram Tales, which you’ll be able to watch under (h/t Purple Nook MMA).
“Many individuals asking what occurred with me, why I’m out from the struggle,” Fiziev mentioned. “I injured my knee once more. Alhamdulillah, no must do surgical procedure, however I can’t push one hundred pc. I can’t work. Can’t wrestle, can’t spar. I’ve to heal up proper now. A few months, I come again to the struggle. I want to struggle in Brazil, that is my dream struggle, however I have already got a few surgical procedures in my knee and it’s a giant threat to go in with my injured knee proper now to struggle.
“It’s a giant threat to have a 3rd harm on the identical knee. That’s not good. I’ve to heal up, guys.”
Fiziev, 32, first injured his left knee in a struggle with Gamrot in September 2023. Their UFC Vegas 79 headlining bout ended abruptly within the second spherical when Fiziev fell clutching his knee. It was later revealed he had torn his ACL. The harm stored Fiziev on the sidelines for 18 months till his return at UFC 313, the place he misplaced a unanimous determination to Justin Gaethje.
It seemed like Fiziev’s luck was turning round as he defeated Ignacio Bahamondes this previous June to snap a three-fight dropping streak, however now it’s again to the drafting board as he once more focuses on resting and rehabbing his knee.
