Rafael Fiziev ‘Happy and Sad’ After Knocking Out Friend Brad Riddell

It was a blend of mixed emotions for Rafael Fiziev following his latest triumph, a third-round knockout of Brad Riddell in the UFC on ESPN 31 co-main event Saturday night.

After all, Fiziev and Riddell are friendly from crossing paths in Thailand, where both lightweights have served as coaches for the vaunted Tiger Muay Thai camp. Riddell previously held that position, while Fiziev is currently in the role.

“I don’t know if I’m sad or I’m happy, because it’s not so good when your friend’s like that,” Fiziev said. “Of course, I’m happy, and sad, and happy. I don’t know.”

Regardless of the feelings that followed, Fiziev’s finish was a thing of beauty. He forced Riddell to circle to his right, then unleashed a spinning wheel kick that connected to the side of his opponent’s head. Riddell stumbled forward and fell to the canvas while unsuccessfully trying to grab a leg, prompting Herb Dean to step in and wave off the fight.

“I wait for this third round,” Fiziev said. “When I started to put him to the cage, I see when he goes right, he every time drops his hands, and I’m just thinking I need to do a spinning backfist or a spinning back-kick. I make spinning back-kick.”

Prior to the stoppage, the bout was very competitive, but Fiziev was gradually beginning to take control. It was the Kyrgyzstan native’s second KO in UFC competition and his fifth straight win in the Octagon. Fiziev claims he never hunts for highlight-reel finishes, however, and he was fairly nonchalant about his latest effort.

“I never find knockouts in my fights, and I never try to make a knockout, and I never believe this before a fight,” he said. “I wanted from him damage, and I took it. I go to my kitchen today, and I try to cook something.

Once Fiziev was able to make peace with the idea of squaring off against someone he liked, it became just another fight, one that should propel him forward in the 155-pound rankings.

“I feel uncomfortable when I started,” Fiziev admitted. “Not too much. I understand this is a real fight. Maybe he would knock me out, but it’s still a little bit uncomfortable.”

Even with a masterpiece of a finish, Fiziev still sees plenty of room for improvement as his UFC career progresses.

“It’s beautiful KO or TKO. It’s beautiful …I still don’t like many moments in the fight,” he said. “I still need growing. I still need work.”