Hot weather! Fiziev downplays Mauricio Ruffy's training with Volkanovski and provokes him during a face-off: 'Aren't you going to smile?'

Fiziev promotes UFC event. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

Se a paz reina entre Alexander Volkanovski e Diego Lopes no UFC 325, o mesmo não se aplica para Rafael Fiziev e Maurício Ruffy. Na coletiva de imprensa pré-UFC 325, realizada nesta quinta-feira (29), na Austrália, o cazaque surpreendeu e provocou o integrante da academia ‘Fighting Nerds’. Dessa forma, ‘Ataman’ tornou a importante luta, válida pelo peso leve (até 70,3 kg), ainda mais interessante.

A curiosidade é que Fiziev não é conhecido por ser adepto do ‘trash talk’ para seus duelos. Contudo, no UFC 325, o atleta mostrou que também sabe cutucar os adversários.

Aware that the Brazilian had trained with the featherweight champion (up to 65,8 kg), 'Ataman' didn't seem worried about the partnership. On the contrary, the veteran, who also has striking as a strong point, exuded confidence and promised to defeat Ruffy decisively.

See too

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“Everyone tells me that my opponent trained with Volkanovski, but I also trained with him many times at Tiger Muay Thai, a long time ago. I trained with Batman, Spider-Man, with everyone from Marvel. So, I'm ready for anything,” said the top-10 lightweight.

“Did you see him? He trained really well. Perfect and beautiful spinning kicks. I was shocked when I saw him training. But let's go in there and, when I'm in the octagon, I'll be like Volkanovski in the kitchen, I'll be cooking,” he concluded.

Provocation also in the face-off

When he came face to face with Ruffy, Fiziev laughed in the face of danger. Much more experienced in the UFC, the athlete, realizing the Brazilian's seriousness about the commitment, tried to break him, saying: "Come on, smile, brother!". Coldly, the 'Nerd' said nothing to the Kazakh, much less smiled.

Veja a encarada entre Fiziev e Ruffy no UFC 325

Lightweights bring the action! 🍿@RafaelFiziev vs @RuffyMMA

[ #UFC325 | JAN 31 | 9pmET on @ParamountMore ] pic.twitter.com/5tQ3JMCXRE

- UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2026