Justin Gaethje and Rafael FIziev put on a spectacular battle in a bout at UFC 286 in 2023, but each has had to deal with his share of significant adversity since. Gaethje was knocked cold by Max Holloway at UFC 300 last year, while Fiziev injured a knee in a 2023 bout against Mateusz Gamrot and hadn't fought since until taking a rematch against Gaethje Saturday on just 11 days' notice.
The rematch was every bit as good as the first. Gaethje came on strong after losing the first round and won the last two to claim a unanimous decision over Fiziev in the co-main event of UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Fiziev used a series of knees and an overall strong striking game to take the first, but as he's done so often, Gaethje got stronger as the fight wore on. He dropped Fiziev with a near-perfect right uppercut in the second, then rallied in the second half of the third to get the win.
Scores were 29-28 in favor of Gaethje on all cards.
Gaethe said he wanted to make a statement after the brutal KO by Holloway.
"I had to come back" said Gaethje, who said he thought he broke his right hand. "I had to show everybody, I don't give a shit how far down you are, it is on you to get back on the f*cking horse. That's what we do. That's who my parents taught me to be and I hope you're teaching your kids the exact same thing."
He also raved about Fiziev.
"I had to start pushing forward," after the first, Gaethje said. "I mean, it was 12 days' notice. For him not to get completely exhausted, he deserves so much credit. This sport is so f*cking crazy."