Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev 2: The Unpredictable Return of ‘The Highlight’ at UFC 313

The UFC octagon lights up this Saturday, March 8th, as one of MMA’s most electrifying warriors makes his return. Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje is back to face Rafael Fiziev in a rematch that has fight fans buzzing – but something feels different this time around.

I’ve covered Gaethje’s career since his WSOF days, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that predicting what version of Gaethje shows up is like trying to predict where lightning strikes. Exciting? Always. Predictable? Never.

The Enigma That Is Justin Gaethje in 2024

Gaethje has always been a paradox wrapped in 4-ounce gloves. The man who once proudly claimed he’d never take a backward step has evolved into a tactical striker who can still unleash chaos at will. But after his brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300, questions linger about which Gaethje we’ll see at UFC 313.

Will it be the calculated assassin who outpointed Dustin Poirier, or the berserker who threw caution to the wind against Michael Chandler? That’s what makes this rematch so compelling.

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The First Encounter: What We Learned

Their first meeting wasn’t exactly a footnote in MMA history, but it certainly didn’t settle the debate of who’s the better fighter. Gaethje secured a majority decision win, but it was competitive enough that the matchup begged for a sequel.

Fiziev has been vocal about feeling robbed in their first encounter. “I won that fight,” he’s repeated in multiple interviews. Whether you agree or not, his conviction adds another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s showdown.

Tale of the Tape: Gaethje vs. Fiziev

	Justin Gaethje	Rafael Fiziev
Age	35	31
Record	24-5	12-3
Fighting Style	Pressure striker with wrestling background	Technical Muay Thai specialist
Last Fight	Loss to Max Holloway (KO)	Loss to Mateusz Gamrot (Decision)

The X-Factor: Gaethje’s Post-Holloway Mindset

You can’t discuss this fight without addressing the elephant in the room – Gaethje’s devastating last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway. That kind of defeat changes fighters. Some return more cautious, others more reckless.

I spoke with several coaches at Arizona’s Fight Ready gym last week, and the consensus is that Gaethje has been drilling more defensive movement and showing a renewed focus on his wrestling background. Could we see a more diversified approach from The Highlight?

“Sometimes you need to get knocked out to remember why you started wrestling in the first place,” one coach told me, requesting anonymity to speak freely about Gaethje’s training.

Fiziev’s Evolution Since Their First Meeting

Rafael Fiziev isn’t standing still either. The Azerbaijani striker has sharpened his grappling defense and shown improved cardio in recent outings. His loss to Gamrot revealed some holes in his game, but also demonstrated his resilience.

Fiziev’s coach, Marc Montoya, believes his fighter has found the formula to defeat Gaethje: “Rafael knows exactly what Justin brings now. The surprise factor is gone.”

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What’s at Stake for Both Fighters

Let’s be real – this isn’t just another fight for either man. For Gaethje, at 35, the clock is ticking on his championship aspirations. Another loss could permanently remove him from title contention in the UFC’s deepest division.

For Fiziev, it’s about validation. Defeating the man who handed him his first UFC loss would propel him back into the top five and set up potential title eliminator bouts.

The lightweight landscape is changing rapidly with Islam Makhachev’s dominance, and neither fighter can afford to be left behind.

Fight Prediction

I’ve watched enough Justin Gaethje fights to know that predictions are a fool’s errand, but if forced to make one: Gaethje by split decision in another back-and-forth war that leaves fans begging for a trilogy.

The X-factor will be Gaethje’s ability to mix in takedowns at crucial moments – something he’s fully capable of but rarely employs. Against Fiziev’s improved takedown defense, this could be the difference-maker.

Beyond UFC 313: What’s Next for the Winner?

The lightweight division isn’t waiting for anyone. With Arman Tsarukyan potentially next for a title shot, the winner of Gaethje-Fiziev likely needs one more victory to secure a championship opportunity.

A matchup with Charles Oliveira or the winner of Beneil Dariush vs. Renato Moicano makes the most sense for whoever has their hand raised on Saturday night.

Will You Be Watching?

UFC 313 delivers a card worthy of your Saturday night. Gaethje vs. Fiziev 2 promises the kind of violent chess match that reminds us why we love this sport – technical mastery coupled with the ever-present threat of sudden, dramatic finishes.

What version of Justin Gaethje do you expect to see? The calculated veteran or the risk-taking brawler? Drop your predictions in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter @MMAInsider.

And remember – whether it lasts 15 seconds or 15 minutes, when Justin Gaethje fights, you don’t blink.

Source: UFC