Top ranked UFC lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje (no. 3) and Rafael Fiziev (no. 6) will go to battle this weekend at UFC 286, a bout that will serve as the co-main event to Leon Edwards vs Kamaru Usman III.
Many fans have been excited for this match-up since before they were even scheduled to face one another, and considering Gaethje is 1-2 in his last three, both defeats coming in title fights, while Fiziev comes in on a six-fight win streak; it’s a fight Fiziev needs to propel himself further up the division.
Fiziev is ready and excited for this clash, as he stated the following on episode 1 of UFC 286 Embedded:
“I’m ready. I’m ready like never (before). This is fireworks, this is like his nickname, ‘Highlight’. He has a big career, he’s a very famous guy. I can’t wait to go and see him in the cage, smell blood, smell his heart, and eat his heart after.”
Rafael Fiziev went 39-8 as a professional kickboxer with 29 knockouts prior to beginning his MMA career, winning a number of championships along the way. Since making his MMA debut, Fiziev has gone 12-1 (6-1 UFC), securing eight knockout victories in that time.
Justin Gaethje on the other hand, an NCAA Division I All-American, former multi-time WSOF lightweight champion, and former interim UFC lightweight champion, has gone 23-4 (6-4 UFC) thus far into his MMA career, securing a whopping 19 knockouts to his credit.
This is going to be a good one you do not want to miss!
Who wins this weekend, Justin Gaethje or Rafael Fiziev?
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