World-renowned UFC fighter Rafael Fiziev, who was born in Kazakhstan and raised in Kyrgyzstan, has been representing Azerbaijan on the international stage since 2021.
Fiziev explained the reason behind this decision in a recent interview on a YouTube channel, Idman.biz reports.
The fighter revealed that he faced religious intolerance in Kyrgyzstan, which led to his decision to part ways with the country:
“A religious scandal erupted in Kyrgyzstan, followed by persecution. The Muftiate publicly spoke out against my movement and me personally without understanding the situation. Then ignorant fanatics began attacking—there was an overwhelming wave of hatred. It could have led to criminal charges. The authorities didn’t intervene, and the public offered no support. That’s when I realized: this place isn’t mine, it’s not my home.”
Fiziev shared that he no longer felt a connection to Kyrgyzstan and decided to tie his career to a country that aligns more closely with his heritage and spirit:
“I went to the place of my historical homeland, where people like me live. That’s how it all happened.”
Idman.biz
