UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev commented to Ushatayka YouTube channel on his decision to stop competing under the flag of Kyrgyzstan.
«I don’t know what will happen next. I can’t say that this is a final and irreversible decision. Even though they shout everywhere that I betrayed someone and sold myself, in fact this country betrayed me and sold itself,» he said.
The 28-year-old Fiziev will next fight against Rafael dos Anjos on February 19 at UFC Fight Night 201.
Earlier, Fiziev announced his decision to no longer compete under the flag of Kyrgyzstan and leave the country with his family. The reason is the harassment that began because of the video he filmed in Iraq, presumably in the Ali ibn Abi Talib mosque. The comments on the post were very harsh, and the athlete turned them off.
Later, ex-mufti of Kyrgyzstan Maksat Toktomushev commented on the situation. He stressed that Rafael Fiziev is the pride of Kyrgyzstan, but criticized him for his religious views.
Rafael Fiziev made his UFC debut in April 2019. The native of Kazakhstan moved to Bishkek with his parents as a child. This is where his sports career began.
