Rafael Fiziev was taken aback when his phone rang, presenting him with an unexpected opportunity. The UFC 313 event was in need of a replacement after a fractured hand sidelined original contender Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) from facing Justin Gaethje (25-5, 8-5). Seizing the moment, Fiziev stepped up to the challenge, marking a chance for redemption against Gaethje, the fighter who had previously left him bloodied and battered in their last encounter.
For those unfamiliar with the history, Fiziev and Gaethje first squared off during the co-main event of UFC 286 in March 2023 at the O2 Arena in London. The fight was highly anticipated and certainly did not disappoint; both fighters entered the Octagon with aggressive intentions. Fiziev initiated a flurry of strikes from the get-go, but Gaethje retaliated with his renowned punches and leg kicks. The bout's intensity escalated, culminating in a severe gash over Fiziev's eye. Ultimately, Gaethje emerged victorious by majority decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28), leaving Fiziev in a state of quiet anticipation for another shot at glory.
Upon learning of his rematch, the 32-year-old Fiziev expressed disbelief, stating, “Honestly, I didn’t believe this fight would happen. I gave my name just in case, but I don’t believe 100 percent because Justin already won one time. Why would he need to fight me again?” Now, just weeks away from UFC 313, Fiziev is set to step back into the Octagon against one of the most formidable brawlers in mixed martial arts.
The MMA community is closely watching this matchup, particularly with insights from renowned fighters like Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. On the March 5 episode of the ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast, Usman remarked, “We’ve got the co-main event of the evening, the last-minute replacement. This fight took place in London, 2023. And I could tell a lot of fans wanted to see rounds four and five. Well, they are in luck because this weekend they’re going to get rounds four and five, and potentially six.”
Cejudo, known for his candid opinions, added, “Dude, honestly, the first time that Gaethje and Fiziev fought, I was like, ‘Damn dude, Fiziev could be a problem for Justin’. Because he is very technical with great setups, but Justin’s a little too much, bro.” His words highlight the daunting challenge that Fiziev faces as he prepares to battle Gaethje once again.
Fiziev is not just facing any striker; he is going against Justin Gaethje, a fighter known for his incredible knockout power, boasting a 75% KO/TKO rate in his UFC victories. Cejudo noted, “Particularly the fact that Rafael is kind of loving the opportunity that Justin is giving him. He’s really high-fiving him a little too much, in my opinion. When I see that, I’m just like, ‘Bro, this isn’t really a friendly game, dude’.”
While Fiziev possesses the skills to turn this matchup into a competitive fight, history suggests that Gaethje will not allow it to remain a technical bout for long. Cejudo reminded listeners, “You know, Justin really put a number on him. Was it a good fight? Did Fiziev get his strikes in? 100%. But as we all know, Justin, as much as he could give, he could also take it.”
Fiziev enters this fight without a proper training camp, limited time for weight management, and a last-minute flight from Thailand to Las Vegas. This scenario could make UFC 313 one of the biggest gambles of his career. Notably, Fiziev has not fought since his TKO (injury) loss to Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023. In contrast, Gaethje is also looking to bounce back from an upset against Max Holloway during the BMF title fight last April.
The stakes are undoubtedly high for both fighters. Not only is Justin Gaethje stepping into the Octagon to face Fiziev, but he is also aiming to erase the painful memories of UFC 300. Max Holloway, a former featherweight champion, recently shared his thoughts on the matchup, stating, “This is going to be a fight man. With Gaethje coming in as the underdog, this is easy picking for me. You need to roll with Gaethje, especially coming off of his last fight.”
Holloway acknowledged Fiziev’s talent but ultimately predicted a win for Gaethje, emphasizing, “He wants to erase that last loss with something huge, so I’m calling this right now. I’m picking Justin Gaethje and I’m going with his nickname, man; he’s going to have a highlight this fight.”
If Rafael Fiziev thought stepping in on short notice was a bold move, he may soon discover that Gaethje is equally motivated to prove himself. Will ‘Ataman’s precision and technique be enough to weather the storm, or is he stepping into a firefight with insufficient preparation? Fans are eager to see how this high-stakes rematch unfolds at UFC 313!
