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Justin Gaethje triumphantly returned to the Octagon at UFC 313, proving his resilience and tenacity in a hard-fought war against Rafael Fiziev.
Following a brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje needed to reestablish himself as a top contender in the lightweight division—and he did just that. Engaging in a relentless 15-minute slugfest, Gaethje showcased his trademark aggression, landing a devastating uppercut in the second round that sent Fiziev crashing to the mat.
When the dust settled, all three judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of Gaethje, marking his second victory over Fiziev and solidifying his place among the elite at 155 pounds.
“World-class,” Gaethje said, praising his opponent. “He really changed his tactics from the last fight. I really just had to start pushing forward. He deserves so much credit. This sport is so fcking crazy. I’m pretty sure my hand is broken but that is one tough son of a b*tch.”
The fight began with Fiziev surprising many by implementing early takedown attempts, a stark contrast from their first encounter. Despite these adjustments, Gaethje remained composed, swiftly scrambling back to his feet and pressing forward.
Fiziev, known for his explosive striking, took a more calculated approach, landing precise kicks and knees to Gaethje’s body. However, Gaethje remained undeterred, responding with a thunderous right hand that marked up Fiziev’s face by the end of the opening round.
As the fight progressed, Gaethje increased his pressure, forcing Fiziev to engage more frequently. A critical moment came in the second round when Gaethje dipped his head and launched a perfectly timed uppercut that floored Fiziev. Although Gaethje swarmed for the finish, Fiziev showed tremendous heart, surviving the onslaught and making it to the third round.
With five minutes remaining, Fiziev tried to mount a comeback, landing crisp kicks and body shots, but Gaethje kept pushing forward, unleashing more punishing uppercuts and overhand rights. A late head kick further cemented Gaethje’s dominance as he controlled the final exchanges, ensuring his victory on the scorecards.
Following the win, Gaethje embraced Fiziev and suggested they train together in the future, adding that they should only meet again if a title is at stake. With this victory, Gaethje silenced critics and firmly reinserted himself into the lightweight title picture, setting up potential matchups with other top contenders.