Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev squared off again on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at UFC 313, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This rematch was not part of the original plan; it materialized just one week prior when Dan Hooker suffered a fractured hand during training, forcing him to withdraw and opening the door for Fiziev to step up.
Fans are familiar with Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) from their first clash at UFC 286 in March 2023, where Gaethje emerged victorious by majority decision after three intense rounds. That fight was dubbed "Fight of the Night," showcasing both fighters' explosive styles. Gaethje, known for his brawling approach, captured the attention of the audience with his aggressive tactics and resilience, turning the contest to his favor as the rounds progressed.
Both fighters entered UFC 313 with their own narratives. Gaethje aimed to bounce back from his recent loss against Max Holloway at UFC 300, where he suffered the Knockout of the Year. Conversely, Fiziev was eager to redeem himself after sustaining an injury TKO against Mateusz Gamrot back in September 2023, which sidelined him for 18 months.
The buildup to this fight brought heightened expectations. Gaethje is well-regarded not only for his fighting skills but also for his ability to withstand punishment and engage thrillingly. His reputation as the former interim lightweight champion stems from his relentless fight style. On the opposing end, Fiziev, armed with his Muay Thai techniques and swift combinations, was out to prove his mettle against one of the toughest competitors the lightweight division offers.
This thrilling co-main event was preceded by the early prelims starting at 6:30 p.m. ET and followed by the main card at 10:00 p.m. ET. Gaethje and Fiziev were expected to walk out at approximately 11:45 p.m. ET to deliver yet another electric fight for fans tuning in via ESPN+ pay-per-view.
The odds leading up to the fight reflected mixed views. With Fiziev favored at -160 and Gaethje as the underdog at +135, many speculated about Gaethje's durability and whether he could regain the form needed to secure victory after recent setbacks. Gaethje's consistent engagement style was well-known, but after admitting to fighting "too safely" lately, many wondered if he could revert to his notorious reckless form, which delighted fans.
Leading up to UFC 313, prominent figures within the MMA community were weighing in. Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo shared their insights on the matchup. Usman noted, "This fight took place in London, 2023. And I could tell a lot of fans wanted to see round 4 and 5. Well, they are in luck because this weekend they're going to get rounds four and five, and potentially six." Cejudo added his perspective, saying, "Dude, honestly, the first time Gaethje and Fiziev fought, I was like, ‘Damn dude, Fiziev could be a problem for Justin.’" Their commentary highlighted the tension and competitiveness expected from this rematch.
Reflecting on their previous encounter, Gaethje's ability to absorb punishment became a focal point. "Justin really put a number on him. Was it a good fight? Did Fiziev get his strikes in? 100%. But as we all know, Justin, as much as he could give, he could also take it," Cejudo reminded fans of Gaethje's formidable presence. Despite Fiziev’s remarkable talent, historical trends favored Gaethje, who often dominated his rivals through pressure and effective timing.
Upon learning about the possibility of the rematch, Fiziev expressed his disbelief at the opportunity. "Honestly, I didn’t believe this fight [would] happen. I gave my name just in case, but I don’t believe 100 percent because Justin already won one time. Why he need to fight me again?" His words reflected the unexpected nature of stepping up against Gaethje on such short notice, but Fiziev was determined to seize this chance for redemption.
The intriguing aspect of their rematch was the stakes involved. For Gaethje, victory could reignite his pursuit of another title shot, having previously tasted defeat against Holloway. A win over Fiziev would affirm his status as one of the elite lightweight contenders still holding aspirations of reclaiming the title. Meanwhile, Fiziev was eager to validate his skills, returning from injury and stepping up with little preparation time. His previous performance against Gaethje left fans eagerly pondering whether his application of technique and precision would overcome Gaethje's raw power.
To add to the excitement, Holloway himself weighed in prior to the bout, predicting Gaethje to rise above as he tried to erase memories of his last loss. “With Gaethje coming in as the underdog, this is easy picking for me. You need to roll with Gaethje, especially coming off of his last fight.”
The intrigue continued to build as fans were ready for another war between these two dynamic fighters. The fight promised to deliver excitement once more, encapsulating everything fight fans cherish about mixed martial arts. Whether Gaethje could reclaim his former glory or Fiziev could assert himself as the next lightweight star remained to be seen as UFC 313 unfolded.