Brad Riddell is downplaying the fact he and his friend Rafael Fiziev used to spar. When Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 31 matchup between Riddell (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Fiziev (10-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was announced, many had a hard time believing it was actually happening since they had formed a friendship over the years training in Phuket, Thailand. And while that’s true, Riddell explained he called Fiziev as soon as he was offered the fight to make sure they were on the same page. Fighting each other isn’t ideal, but Riddell says the UFC matched them up because they were the only ranked fighters available who were willing to compete before the end of the year
Read the original here: