--- title: "Fiziev rips UFC’s AI rankings as ‘elephant sh*t’ after Baku knockout" description: "Lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev dismantles Manuel Torres, then torches UFC’s new AI-powered rankings system in post-fight presser." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/rafael-fiziev-blasts-ufc-s-new-elephant-sh-t-rankings-syst-fa80b957 published: 2026-06-29T19:20:21.387+00:00 updated: 2026-06-29T19:20:21.387+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["mma"] --- # Fiziev rips UFC’s AI rankings as ‘elephant sh*t’ after Baku knockout > Lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev dismantles Manuel Torres, then torches UFC’s new AI-powered rankings system in post-fight presser. Rafael Fiziev dismantled Manuel Torres in the main event of UFC Baku, but the lightweight contender’s post-fight words overshadowed the finish. Fiziev, who improved to 4-3 in his last seven, unleashed a first-round guillotine choke to submit Torres in 1:51, yet his biggest headline came from the microphone. “The UFC rankings? Elephant sh*t,” Fiziev declared, targeting the promotion’s new AI-driven system that excluded him from the official lightweight list ahead of the fight. The AI rankings controversy flared after Fiziev’s 1-4 record in his last five, which included losses to Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Despite the slide, Fiziev argued his reputation and recent performances—including a 2023 knockout of Bobby Green—should carry more weight than the algorithm’s opaque calculations. The rankings snub became a wedge issue in Baku. Torres, ranked No. 15 by the UFC, entered as a stepping-stone, but Fiziev’s submission exposed the gap between perception and the system’s output. The AI model, introduced to reduce bias, now faces scrutiny over whether it undervalues fighters with volatile resumes. Fiziev’s outburst landed amid broader skepticism about data-driven athlete placement. Promoters and managers have privately questioned how the rankings weigh narrative versus numbers, and the Baku fallout amplifies calls for clearer criteria. This incident highlights a fundamental tension in modern fight sports: the clash between cold, historical data and the hot reality of a fighter's current form. Fiziev's recent losses were to elite competition, a context an algorithm may struggle to quantify compared to a simple win-loss record. His dominant win over a ranked opponent in Torres is the exact type of performance the system is supposed to reward, yet his pre-fight exclusion suggests it may be overly punitive toward fighters on a skid, regardless of opponent quality. The controversy also puts the UFC in a bind. The AI system was marketed as an objective solution to ranking disputes, but Fiziev's very public critique undermines that authority. If fighters and fans do not trust the rankings, they lose their primary function as a tool for matchmaking and hype. The promotion must now decide whether to defend the algorithm's integrity, adjust its parameters to account for 'strength of schedule' and fan perception, or risk the rankings becoming irrelevant background noise in title discussions. Fiziev’s takedown of the rankings system landed like a sucker punch in the lightweight division. By equating the UFC’s AI model to “elephant sh*t,” he exposed the friction between fighter credibility and algorithmic authority, forcing fans and insiders to ask: Who really decides who belongs at the top? The debate isn’t just about rankings—it’s about trust in a sport where perception and performance collide. ## Why this matters Fiziev’s public dismantling of the UFC’s AI rankings system spotlights a growing rift between fighter reputations and data-driven athlete placement. The controversy isn’t just about one lightweight’s exclusion; it’s a referendum on transparency in rankings that could reshape how the UFC balances algorithmic fairness with the intangibles of combat sports credibility. ## Frequently asked ### What is the UFC’s AI-powered rankings system? The UFC’s AI rankings use machine learning to evaluate fighter performances, incorporating metrics like recent results, quality of wins, and statistical dominance. It aims to reduce human bias but has drawn criticism for opacity in its calculations. ### Why was Rafael Fiziev excluded from the UFC lightweight rankings? Fiziev was left off the official UFC lightweight rankings despite his 2023 knockout of Bobby Green and a reputation as a fan favorite. The AI model reportedly prioritized a recent 1-4 stretch, excluding him from the list that preceded UFC Baku. ### How did Manuel Torres perform against Fiziev at UFC Baku? Torres lasted 1:51 into the first round before succumbing to Fiziev’s guillotine choke. The submission marked Fiziev’s first finish since 2023 and his first win in the UFC since knocking out Bobby Green in May 2023. ### What did Justin Gaethje say about the rankings controversy? Gaethje, who defeated Fiziev in 2023, declined to directly address the AI rankings debate but reiterated his focus on in-cage performance. His silence contrasted with Fiziev’s public outburst, underscoring the division’s mixed reactions to the system. ### Will the UFC change its AI rankings system after Fiziev’s comments? The UFC has not indicated plans to revise the AI model, but Fiziev’s remarks add pressure on the promotion to clarify the system’s methodology. Transparency talks have intensified, with stakeholders demanding more insight into how fighters are ranked. ## Sources & Citations - [Rafael Fiziev blasts UFC’s new ‘elephant sh*t’ rankings system following UFC Baku knockout win - MMA Fighting](https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/496808/rafael-fiziev-blasts-ufcs-new-elephant-sht-rankings-system-following-ufc-baku-knockout-win) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-28) --- Cite: Fiziev rips UFC’s AI rankings as ‘elephant sh*t’ after Baku knockout. Sportopod, 2026-06-29. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/rafael-fiziev-blasts-ufc-s-new-elephant-sh-t-rankings-syst-fa80b957