Rafael Fiziev to Undergo Nose Surgery, Eyes Late 2022 UFC Return

If Rafael Fiziev is going to fight again in 2022, it won’t be until the end of the year.

The surging lightweight suffered a broken nose in his fifth-round knockout victory against Rafael dos Anjos this past Saturday and will require surgery. “Ataman” is expected to undergo the procedure on Wednesday and is targeting a return by November or December. Ariel Helwani was first to report Fiziev’s injury.

Fiziev referenced a possible injury following his win over dos Anjos at the UFC on ESPN 39 post-fight press conference on Saturday night.

“This is first time in 20 years of fighting and he broke my nose,” Fiziev said then. “I can't breathe now. I think I might need to go to hospital and need surgery.”

Fiziev also called for a fight with two-time title challenger Justin Gaethje. If that comes to fruition, it won’t be until the end of 2022 at the earliest. Fiziev has won six consecutive fights in UFC competition, currently the fourth-longest active winning streak within the Las Vegas-based promotion.