Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes UFC Baku Odds, Time, and Prediction

Once thought as the next big thing in the UFC Lightweight Division, Rafael Fiziev is now desperately hoping to end his 3-fight losing skid. The good news for him is that as per UFC Baku odds, he’s going to beat Ignacio Bahamondes on June 21. But their odds aren’t miles apart, suggesting that the Chilean kickboxer stands a decent chance in Saturday’s clash.

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Baku Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan
• Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
• Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ABC/ESPN+

A Must-Win Fight for Rafael Fiziev

A police officer by profession, Rafael Fiziev has been fighting professionally for almost exactly 10 years to date. He’s 12-4 overall, which is a great resume, but three of those four losses came in his last three fights.

It all started with a major-decision loss to Justin Gaethje in May 2023. In September the same year, he lost to Mateusz Gamrot by a TKO, after injuring his knee. The injury kept him sidelined for a year and a half.

He came back to the Octagon last March at UFC 313, even though he wasn’t supposed to fight. Justin Gaethje was meant to fight Dan Hooker, but the Aussie fighter withdrew due to an injury, so Fiziev took his place. It did not go well for him – he lost to Gaethje again, this time by unanimous decision.  

Fast-forward to June 21 and he’s fighting again. And this time, it’s serious. Losing another fight could crush his dream of challenging for the title. Sure, he’s still relatively young (32), but losing four fights in a row doesn’t seem like something he could recover from.

The good news for him is that he definitely has what it takes to beat his UFC Baku opponent. They’re both incredible strikers, but Fiziev seems faster with his hands and more agile inside the ring. Plus, the fight’s taking place in Azerbaijan, the country he’s been representing since 2021 – so he’ll have his fans there to support him.

Can Ignacio Bahamondes Upset the UFC Baku Odds?

Ignacio Bahamondes is 17-5, with 11 wins by knockout/technical knockout, which is no surprise as this guy is a hell of a kickboxer. Another testament to his kickboxing skills is that he’s never suffered a loss by KO/TKO. But he’s never fought such an elite striker as Fiziev before.

John Makdessi is probably the best striker he’s faced so far – and he lost that fight by decision. The loss in question happened in 2021, and since then, he’s only lost to Ludovit Klein, who simply did better wrestling-wise.

Wrestling isn’t Ignacio’s forte, but he’s a pretty dangerous grappler, the evidence being that in his most recent fight, he defeated Jalin Turner with a triangle choke.

Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes Prediction

This is going to be a kickboxing duel, with plenty of kicks and punches on both ends. While Bahamodes is famous for a high volume of significant strikes (7.09), we don’t think he’s as lethal as Fiziev.

“Ataman” is someone who can find space and unleash such powerful strikes to put almost anyone to sleep. Eight of his opponents have experienced this and we think Bahamondes will as well.

Pick: Rafael Fiziev by KO/TKO