Justin Gaethje
The Highlight
USA
Again bests Rafael Fiziev
Gaethje defeated Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC 313 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a trademark effort from Gaethje on the heels of the most difficult performance of his career, and it also would go on to win him yet another $50,000 bonus, this time for Fight of the Night honors. When we last saw Justin last April, he was brutally knocked out by Max Holloway with just a second remaining. He returned here against a late-notice opponent in Fiziev and shined. Gaethje dropped the Round 1 on all three scorecards before storming back. He landed a big knockdown in Round 2 to even the score and outworked Fiziev in the final frame with the fight hanging in the balance. Most importantly, Gaethje, at age 36, proved there were no after effects from the Holloway finish. One of the most popular fighters in the sport, "The Highlight" will continue to get prime, headlining spots for the company.
It was a trademark effort from Gaethje on the heels of the most difficult performance of his career, and it also would go on to win him yet another $50,000 bonus, this time for Fight of the Night honors. When we last saw Justin last April, he was brutally knocked out by Max Holloway with just a second remaining. He returned here against a late-notice opponent in Fiziev and shined. Gaethje dropped the Round 1 on all three scorecards before storming back. He landed a big knockdown in Round 2 to even the score and outworked Fiziev in the final frame with the fight hanging in the balance. Most importantly, Gaethje, at age 36, proved there were no after effects from the Holloway finish. One of the most popular fighters in the sport, "The Highlight" will continue to get prime, headlining spots for the company.
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Rematch with Fiziev on tap
Gaethje will now take on Rafael Fiziev in a lightweight matchup in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas, per UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
All credit to Gaethje here, as he has everything to lose and little to gain by facing a dangerous fighter outside of the top-10 on short notice -- not to mention, one he's already beaten. The two fought back in March of 2023, and Gaethje won this fight via majority decision in a bout that took home Fight of the Night honors. Gaethje out-landed Fiziev by a mere six significant strikes over the three-round bout, in addition to being credited with one takedown (though it was non-consequential in the outcome). Since then, Gaethje has picked up a win over Dustin Poirier and lost a war to Max Holloway in April, nearly a year earlier. Fiziev, meanwhile, was finished by Mateusz Gamrot in September of 2023 and has been on the sidelines ever since due to a torn ACL.
All credit to Gaethje here, as he has everything to lose and little to gain by facing a dangerous fighter outside of the top-10 on short notice -- not to mention, one he's already beaten. The two fought back in March of 2023, and Gaethje won this fight via majority decision in a bout that took home Fight of the Night honors. Gaethje out-landed Fiziev by a mere six significant strikes over the three-round bout, in addition to being credited with one takedown (though it was non-consequential in the outcome). Since then, Gaethje has picked up a win over Dustin Poirier and lost a war to Max Holloway in April, nearly a year earlier. Fiziev, meanwhile, was finished by Mateusz Gamrot in September of 2023 and has been on the sidelines ever since due to a torn ACL.
Requires new opponent
Gaethje will not fight Dan Hooker at UFC 313 on March 8, according to Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Hooker withdrew from UFC 313 because of a hand injury. Even though Rafael Fiziev has offered his services for another shot at Gaethje, the latter participating in said event is not etched in stone. Perhaps there is a chance he fights someone else or Hooker at a later date.
Hooker withdrew from UFC 313 because of a hand injury. Even though Rafael Fiziev has offered his services for another shot at Gaethje, the latter participating in said event is not etched in stone. Perhaps there is a chance he fights someone else or Hooker at a later date.
Co-main event at UFC 313
Gaethje will face Dan Hooker in a lightweight matchup in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8, according to the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
While Gaethje was finished at the last second by Max Holloway in the company's "BMF Championship" at UFC 300 in April, he remains the No. 3 ranked lightweight fighter and arguably the most exciting athlete on the entire roster. After some much-deserved time off, he gets another showcase fight against the No. 6-ranked lightweight in Hooker, who is riding an unexpected three-fight winning streak. While Hooker has shown to be a capable wrestler at times, his bread and butter, like Gaethje's, is in the stand-up game. Both are high-volume strikes, though few can match the consistent output of Gaethje. This has the makings of a fan-friendly affair, as Gaethje will be forced to eat shots to get inside and negate Hooker's five-inch reach advantage.
While Gaethje was finished at the last second by Max Holloway in the company's "BMF Championship" at UFC 300 in April, he remains the No. 3 ranked lightweight fighter and arguably the most exciting athlete on the entire roster. After some much-deserved time off, he gets another showcase fight against the No. 6-ranked lightweight in Hooker, who is riding an unexpected three-fight winning streak. While Hooker has shown to be a capable wrestler at times, his bread and butter, like Gaethje's, is in the stand-up game. Both are high-volume strikes, though few can match the consistent output of Gaethje. This has the makings of a fan-friendly affair, as Gaethje will be forced to eat shots to get inside and negate Hooker's five-inch reach advantage.
Drops BMF title to Holloway
Gaethje lost the UFC "BMF" Championship on Saturday, falling to Max Holloway via KO (punch) at 4:59 of Round 5 at UFC 300 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Gaethje showed his usual toughness in what was a wild affair, but his trademark damaging blows were nowhere to be found, at least with any consistency. Justin really struggled with the speed of Holloway throughout the course of the bout. He got clipped with repeated, damaging combinations. Gaethje also clearly broke his nose early on, and that impacted his performance. Justin's most effective offensive thrusts were low kicks. His biggest moment of the night was a Round 4 knockdown, but Holloway got up right away and was never threatened the rest of the way. Gaethje went out on his shield, getting knocked out with a second left in one of the most wild exchanges in the history of the sport. Justin will be 36 years of age this coming November and is 3-3 in his past six bouts. He's not a legitimate title contender in the traditional sense, but big fights will continue to come Gaethje's way given his immense popularity. On the bright side, he'll also take home a $300,000 bonus after this fight was given Fight of the Night honors.
Gaethje showed his usual toughness in what was a wild affair, but his trademark damaging blows were nowhere to be found, at least with any consistency. Justin really struggled with the speed of Holloway throughout the course of the bout. He got clipped with repeated, damaging combinations. Gaethje also clearly broke his nose early on, and that impacted his performance. Justin's most effective offensive thrusts were low kicks. His biggest moment of the night was a Round 4 knockdown, but Holloway got up right away and was never threatened the rest of the way. Gaethje went out on his shield, getting knocked out with a second left in one of the most wild exchanges in the history of the sport. Justin will be 36 years of age this coming November and is 3-3 in his past six bouts. He's not a legitimate title contender in the traditional sense, but big fights will continue to come Gaethje's way given his immense popularity. On the bright side, he'll also take home a $300,000 bonus after this fight was given Fight of the Night honors.
Fight booked versus Holloway
Gaethje is scheduled to face Max Holloway in a lightweight bout at UFC 300 in Las Vegas on April 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After back-to-back wins over Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier, Gaethje will look to keep his streak of dominance alive versus Holloway, who holds a significant experience advantage over Gaethje.
After back-to-back wins over Rafael Fiziev and Dustin Poirier, Gaethje will look to keep his streak of dominance alive versus Holloway, who holds a significant experience advantage over Gaethje.