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MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at UFC Fight Night 280's main event between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres.
Staple info:
Supplemental info:
Supplemental info:
The main event in Baku features a potential striker’s delight between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres.
A potent puncher in every sense of the word, Torres is a powerful lightweight who can do serious damage in the pocket.
Competent from both sides, Torres can come forward with your standard one-twos from either stance, but tends to be hardwired to unload dangerously accurate hooks and crosses at a moment’s notice. Torres also wields some sneaky-hard kicks and elbows when feeling in stride, something that was on display in his knockout win over Nikolas Motta.
That said, Torres’ defensive prowess doesn’t necessarily match his offensive proficiency, making counters a potent two-way street opposite a fighter like Fiziev.
Demonstrating superb countering instincts from multiple ranges, Fiziev has a knack for turning defense into offense. Whether he is slipping to the left or right, "Ataman" is good about returning hard hooks and kicks in combination.
Like many Russian and Eastern European kickboxers, Fiziev is very fluent off of his lead side, often punctuating the exchanges with either left hooks to the head or hard Thai kicks to the body. The 33-year-old will also sneak in quick inside leg kicks off of parries to further disrupt his opposition, but is more than happy to sit back and hack at any limb that becomes available.
Like many muay Thai stylists, Fiziev shows solid sensibilities inside of the clinch, particularly when it comes to finding knees and elbows. But with Torres also having some sneaky looks inside these ranges, I’ll be curious to see how much either party pushes for closed-quarter combat.
Despite neither fighter being known for his love for ground fighting, I wouldn't put opportunistic offense past either party this Saturday.
For my money, the more likely fighter to do so is the former combat sambo champion in Fiziev.
Although Fiziev shows little interest in pursuing ground fights for prolonged periods of time, he doesn’t seem afraid to shake things up with a trip or takedown of his own (something that was apparent in his fight with fellow striker Ignacio Bahamondes). Fiziev is also good about scoring damaging strikes in transit, particularly when it comes to elbows off the breaks.
That said, Fiviez can’t afford to underestimate the opportunistic savvy that Torres has shown in previous fights.
Against Chris Duncan, for example, Torres was able to reverse the Scotsman from a 50-50 tie-up position and parlay a poor man’s kimura trap into a surprisingly fluid back-take and finish for the Mexican fighter. Torres has also opted for your more traditional double-legs along the fence in prior fights, so don’t be shocked if the 31-year-old looks to get the jump on his more accomplished foe.
The oddsmakers and public have this fight at practically pick’em odds, listing Fiziev -114 and Torres -106 via FanDuel.
Considering the type of fighters MMA gamblers love to get behind, it comes as no surprise that money has been slowly trickling in on Torres since this line opened.
Aside from being the younger, fresher-faced fighter, Torres is also on the large side of the weight class and carries the opportunistic flash and finishing ability that traditionally gets bettors tumescent. Whereas Fiziev, who has struggled to both get wins and stay healthy, finds himself at an all-time low from a stock perspective.
Still, I can’t help but side with Fiziev in this spot.
Perhaps it’s my stubbornness, but I can’t get behind unproven processless opportunists who almost never get out of the first round over more proven and technical products. Moreover, Torres’ lone sample opposite a stance-switcher who can match him in Bahamondes was also coincidentally Torres’ only UFC loss (as well as Fiziev’s only recent UFC win).
Fiziev has been far from trustworthy or consistent as of late, so I can understand the tight odds and honestly wouldn’t be shocked to see Torres doing that post-fight, hand-over-the-face celebration that he clearly loves so much over an unconscious Fiziev this Saturday. But if Fiziez still has some semblance of his traditional game, then I suspect he can make hay with Torres’ porous defense by hitting the Mexican with a crushing counter come Round 2.
Prediction: Fiziev inside the distance
As the main event, Fiziev and Torres are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 11:05 a.m. ET. The fight streams on Paramount+.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Can Fiziev get back on track vs. Torres in UFC Baku home headliner?
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Rafael Fiziev UFC Fight Night 280 preview
Staple info:
- Record: 13-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC
- Height: 5'8" Age: 33 Weight: 155 lbs. Reach: 71.5"
- Last fight:TKO loss to Mauricio Ruffy (Jan. 31, 2026)
- Camp: Tiger Muay Thai (Thailand)
- Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai
- Risk management: Good
Supplemental info:
- + Multiple muay Thai accolades
- + National champion in combat sambo
- + National champion in hand-to-hand combat
- + 6 KO victories
- + 1 submission win
- + 6 first-round finishes
- + KO power
- + Serviceable feints and footwork
- + Good head movement (when he wants to)
- ^ Slips and rips/counters in combination
- + Hard and accurate Thai kicks
- ^ Variates well to the body
- + Strong inside the clinch
- + Solid grappling and wrestling
Manuel Torres Fight Night 280 preview
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- Record: 17-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC
- Height: 5'10" Age: 31 Weight: 155 lbs. Reach: 73.5"
- Last fight:TKO win over Grant Dawson (Dec. 6, 2025)
- Camp: Entram Gym (Mexico)
- Stance/striking style: Switch-stance/kickboxing
- Risk management: Fair
Supplemental info:
- + Regional MMA titles
- + 9 KO victories
- + 7 submission wins
- + 16 first-round finishes
- + KO Power
- + Aggressive pace and pressure
- + Competent from both stances
- + Accurate/dangerous hooks and crosses
- ^ Coming forward or off the counter
- + Dangerous elbows
- + Strong inside the clinch
- + Solid transitional grappling
- ^ Surprising awareness with scrambles and submissions
- +/- Will drop for guillotines
Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres breakdown: Big power in Baku
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The main event in Baku features a potential striker’s delight between Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres.
A potent puncher in every sense of the word, Torres is a powerful lightweight who can do serious damage in the pocket.
Competent from both sides, Torres can come forward with your standard one-twos from either stance, but tends to be hardwired to unload dangerously accurate hooks and crosses at a moment’s notice. Torres also wields some sneaky-hard kicks and elbows when feeling in stride, something that was on display in his knockout win over Nikolas Motta.
That said, Torres’ defensive prowess doesn’t necessarily match his offensive proficiency, making counters a potent two-way street opposite a fighter like Fiziev.
Demonstrating superb countering instincts from multiple ranges, Fiziev has a knack for turning defense into offense. Whether he is slipping to the left or right, "Ataman" is good about returning hard hooks and kicks in combination.
Like many Russian and Eastern European kickboxers, Fiziev is very fluent off of his lead side, often punctuating the exchanges with either left hooks to the head or hard Thai kicks to the body. The 33-year-old will also sneak in quick inside leg kicks off of parries to further disrupt his opposition, but is more than happy to sit back and hack at any limb that becomes available.
Like many muay Thai stylists, Fiziev shows solid sensibilities inside of the clinch, particularly when it comes to finding knees and elbows. But with Torres also having some sneaky looks inside these ranges, I’ll be curious to see how much either party pushes for closed-quarter combat.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres point of interest: Potential grappling threats
Despite neither fighter being known for his love for ground fighting, I wouldn't put opportunistic offense past either party this Saturday.
For my money, the more likely fighter to do so is the former combat sambo champion in Fiziev.
Although Fiziev shows little interest in pursuing ground fights for prolonged periods of time, he doesn’t seem afraid to shake things up with a trip or takedown of his own (something that was apparent in his fight with fellow striker Ignacio Bahamondes). Fiziev is also good about scoring damaging strikes in transit, particularly when it comes to elbows off the breaks.
That said, Fiviez can’t afford to underestimate the opportunistic savvy that Torres has shown in previous fights.
Against Chris Duncan, for example, Torres was able to reverse the Scotsman from a 50-50 tie-up position and parlay a poor man’s kimura trap into a surprisingly fluid back-take and finish for the Mexican fighter. Torres has also opted for your more traditional double-legs along the fence in prior fights, so don’t be shocked if the 31-year-old looks to get the jump on his more accomplished foe.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres odds
The oddsmakers and public have this fight at practically pick’em odds, listing Fiziev -114 and Torres -106 via FanDuel.
Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres prediction, pick
Considering the type of fighters MMA gamblers love to get behind, it comes as no surprise that money has been slowly trickling in on Torres since this line opened.
Aside from being the younger, fresher-faced fighter, Torres is also on the large side of the weight class and carries the opportunistic flash and finishing ability that traditionally gets bettors tumescent. Whereas Fiziev, who has struggled to both get wins and stay healthy, finds himself at an all-time low from a stock perspective.
Still, I can’t help but side with Fiziev in this spot.
Perhaps it’s my stubbornness, but I can’t get behind unproven processless opportunists who almost never get out of the first round over more proven and technical products. Moreover, Torres’ lone sample opposite a stance-switcher who can match him in Bahamondes was also coincidentally Torres’ only UFC loss (as well as Fiziev’s only recent UFC win).
Fiziev has been far from trustworthy or consistent as of late, so I can understand the tight odds and honestly wouldn’t be shocked to see Torres doing that post-fight, hand-over-the-face celebration that he clearly loves so much over an unconscious Fiziev this Saturday. But if Fiziez still has some semblance of his traditional game, then I suspect he can make hay with Torres’ porous defense by hitting the Mexican with a crushing counter come Round 2.
Prediction: Fiziev inside the distance
Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres start time, how to watch
As the main event, Fiziev and Torres are expected to make their walks to the octagon at approximately 11:05 a.m. ET. The fight streams on Paramount+.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Can Fiziev get back on track vs. Torres in UFC Baku home headliner?
Continue reading...
