Justin Gaethje has emphatically announced his return to form.
Following a knockout defeat to Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje entered UFC 313 with a point to prove. He successfully silenced his critics with a dominant performance against Rafael Fiziev, engaging fearlessly for the entire 15 minutes. A highlight of the fight was a brutal uppercut in the second round that floored Fiziev, significantly contributing to Gaethje’s victory.
The judges’ scorecards reflected Gaethje’s control, with all three scoring the bout 29-28 in his favor. This win marks Gaethje’s return to the win column and improves his record against Fiziev to 2-0, concluding the UFC 313 co-main event on a high note.
In his post-fight comments, Gaethje acknowledged Fiziev’s high caliber, noting a change in tactics from their previous encounter. He praised Fiziev’s resilience, admitting the fight was incredibly tough and jokingly suspected a broken hand from the exchanges.
“I had to prove myself again. I’m still a top 3 fighter in the world and one of the most exciting fighters ever,” Gaethje declared.
Despite Fiziev initially attempting takedowns, Gaethje remained composed, quickly returning to his feet. While Fiziev adopted a more measured striking approach compared to their first fight, both fighters exchanged heavy blows, including knees and body kicks.
Towards the end of the first round, Gaethje landed a powerful right hand, visibly impacting Fiziev who also sustained swelling under his right eye earlier in the round.
As the fight progressed, Fiziev strategically selected his strikes while Gaethje pressed forward, seeking engagement. Fiziev utilized bursts of energy, while Gaethje began unleashing powerful haymakers.
Fiziev connected with a sharp head kick and a solid punch, but Gaethje retaliated with another strong overhand right. In a crucial moment, Gaethje ducked and landed a perfectly timed uppercut, sending Fiziev to the canvas.
Gaethje pursued a finish, but Fiziev managed to survive until the end of the second round.
In the final round, Fiziev focused on kicks, targeting Gaethje’s head and body with powerful shots. Gaethje responded with uppercuts and strong right hands, maintaining the pressure.
Gaethje continued to push the pace as Fiziev began to slow, likely due to accepting the fight on short notice. Gaethje landed a significant head kick and maintained his aggressive style, securing the victory that he is known for.
This late surge ensured Gaethje’s win. Afterwards, Gaethje suggested to Fiziev they should train together and only fight again if a title was at stake.
This victory marks an impressive comeback for Gaethje, quieting doubts following his previous loss to Holloway. He now re-enters the lightweight division’s top tier with numerous promising matchups ahead.
