'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBAwMFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBQYREgciMlFyAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEQEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAiEAERIiQf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8A3nnrTOy9XtNzW9yFsI8ZI9xGZ3Ukq7LssYXid+Q3JNVUuohHK6FT2sR4ej9UpQ5nGzdrjDsQ2FQPM//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rafael Fiziev has recently been in the headlines for several reasons, one of which is stemming from allegations that he owes three months-worth of rent to a Thai homeowner in Phuket.
The allegations surfaced following the announcement that Fiziev will be fighting Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in March. According to Phuket Top Team, 'Ataman' has owed the money for three years and promised to pay the fee several times, but is yet to repay his debt.
Fiziev released a statement on Twitter amidst the controversy, explaining that he was offered free training by PKK in 2015 in exchange for representing the team and 10% commission from his fights. But Fiziev claimed that the gym began skimming extra money off the top of his fight purses.
Trending
After breaking his hand in 2017, he was offered a coaching job at Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket. Rafael Fiziev added that he then informed PKK owner Boyd Clarke that if he couldn't match TMT's offer, then 'Ataman' would have to leave his gym.
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
According to Fiziev, Clarke did not take the news well and began threatening him. The UFC lightweight wrote:
"In my opinion it's not about the money, he just wants to use this to drag my name through the dirt everytime I have a fight announcement. I don't care if someone believes him... I represented my gym very well, paid my %, got paid less than what I've been promised. I made $250 000 with bonuses alone [in the UFC], do you think I wouldn't pay my debt if I really owed that money?"
See the post below:
Rafael Fiziev felt the need to explain himself following a recent tweet from PKK's account. Fellow UFC lightweight Renato Moicano tweeted his surprise at Fiziev being the betting underdog against Justin Gaethje, and PKK's account replied with the following:
"Fiziev owes 3 months rent for over 3 years to Thai house owner..."
See the exchange below:
Rafael Fiziev and Justin Gaethje set for co-main event at UFC 286
Rafael Fiziev and Justin Gaethje will do battle in the co-main event of UFC 286, as part of an already-stacked card. The event will be headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 3, and will also see surging middleweight Roman Dolidze take on Marvin Vettori.
Fiziev is riding a six-fight win streak, with impressive back-to-back KO wins over Brad Riddell and Rafael dos Anjos. Gaethje, by contrast, is coming off a title loss and will hope to take a step closer towards another title shot with a win over 'Ataman'.
The fight will be a captivating watch, and will no doubt have fans out of their seats, as one of MMA's most technical strikers faces arguably the most violent man in the sport.
