Ignacio Bahamondes is grateful for Rafael Fiziev saying yes to face him as a rising contender in the UFC’s lightweight division.
The surging 27-year-old contender faces Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC Baku this Saturday. When the matchup was announced, it was almost unanimously praised by the fanbase, something Bahamondes noticed immediately.
“It was crazy how the people reacted — especially in my country [of Chile],” Bahamondes told MMA Fighting. “They were freaking out. It’s something big for my people, it’s something big for me, fighting a guy like Rafael who has so much experience and he’s been on a lot of wars in UFC.
“So sharing the octagon with him is a pleasure and I’m excited. I’m excited for this fight. I’m just as excited as the fans.”
Bahamondes enters the biggest fight of his career with a 6-2 UFC record, including three straight stoppage victories. In his most recent outing, Bahamondes solidified himself as a ranked 155-pounder with a first-round submission of Jalin Turner at UFC 313 in March.
Fiziev also competed at UFC 313 in his first bout in 18 months following a torn ACL suffered in his loss to Mateusz Gamrot. “Ataman” stepped in on short notice to face Justin Gaethje in a rematch, and much like the first contest, Fiziev got off to a great start, but ultimately lost a decision.
With a win over Fiziev, Bahamondes believes that he’ll have much more of a say in who he would face next as he climbs the ladder of the sport’s toughest division.
“Having a win against him, it will mean a lot to me, not just because it’s him, it’s not just because I’m coming all the way here to his country to fight him — a great fighter as Rafael Fiziev,” Bahamondes explained. “So I think beating him is going to put me in a great position, it’s going to put me in a position wherever I can ask for a top 10, whatever I want.
“[The headlines will read] ‘La Jaula’ does it again. I think that’s what it’s going to be. ‘La Jaula’ does it again, no judges needed.”
One fight that is — more than likely — off the table for Bahamondes would be a matchup against former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. “The Diamond” headlines UFC 318 next month in his home state of Louisiana to face Max Holloway for the BMF title in his retirement fight.
Bahamondes appreciates everything Poirier has done inside the octagon. While he wishes Poirier well in his retirement, there’s a part of Bahamondes that is bummed he won’t get the chance to test himself against of the most exciting fighters in UFC history.
“Dustin’s always been a fighter I watched,” Bahamondes said. “I always like his style. He goes forward, he never gives up. I like his style. I would love to share octagon with him. It was one of my dream fights.
“I’m kind of sad he’s retiring, but it’s OK. That means he’s understanding this game needs new people, and I think I’m one of them.”
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