"This can be fight of the year" - 'Opponent-less' Rafael Fiziev called out by Khamzat Chimaev's former teammate

Rafael Fiziev is ready to make his return after recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in September 2023 against Mateusz Gamrot. Since then, Fiziev has been diligently working on his recovery, and now, over a year later, he’s back to full training and ready to fight.

Despite his eagerness to get back in the mix, Fiziev has voiced frustration, revealing that he is yet to be offered a fight. As he waits for a call from the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev's former teammate Guram Kutateladze has expressed an interest in facing Fiziev.

Kutateladze took to X to issue a challenge to Fiziev and wrote:

"I got informed by management, that @RafaelFiziev does not have an opponent and nobody wants to fight him. Stylistic wise this is the match-up @ufc and fight fans love to see. Plus, this can be the fight of the year. February 1st in Saudi Arabia."

Check out Guram Kutateladze's X post below:

Chimaev and Kutateladze were once teammates, training together at the Allstars Training Center before Chimaev emigrated to the UAE. As for the UFC’s return to Saudi Arabia, the promotion will host its next event in the Middle Eastern country on Feb. 1, 2025. This marks the second UFC event in Saudi Arabia, following UFC on ABC 6 in June 2024.

Under the leadership of Turki Al-Sheikh and the success of Riyadh Season, the Kingdom has become a major hub for international sports, including UFC events. With intriguing bouts like Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov and Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page, the card promises plenty of action.

---

Sean Strickland launches profanity-laced insults against Khamzat Chimaev

Sean Strickland recently slammed Khamzat Chimaev on X calling him "scum" and criticizing his character. Strickland accused Chimaev of being involved in a Bitcoin scam and avoiding authorities by fleeing to the Middle East.

He referred to Chimaev as a "crypto scammer" and mocked him for allegedly "who*ing himself out to Kadyrov" for a luxury car before escaping to the UAE. Strickland's fury extended to claims that Chimaev allegedly trains with lesser-skilled opponents, calling it excessive and unfair.

Strickland, who is gearing up to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship next took to X and wrote:

"I love how c**shot [mocking name for Khamzat] will try to talk sh*t to me. Bro you’re not a man, character-level fuc*ing dog sh*t… Crypto scams, who*ed yourself out to Kadyrov for cars to flee to Middle East when the pimp hand got too strong. Stay in your lane Swedish man.”

“Bro literally is scum. I took a hard picture because I’m a small man and have to act tough you s**ked off a dictator for a G wagon and then had to flee to the Middle East.. Bro isn’t even a f**king man at this point….. Character level... dog sh*t.”

Check out Sean Strickland's X posts below: