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Justin Gaethje is going into UFC 286 fight against Rafael Fiziev with ‘a lot of haters to shut up’

Justin Gaethje has something to prove in his return to the Octagon. ‘The Highlight’ heads to London for a co-main event showdown with rising lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18. It’s been nearly a year since Gaethje suffered a first-round submission loss to then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. With it being his […]

Justin Gaethje has something to prove in his return to the Octagon.

‘The Highlight’ heads to London for a co-main event showdown with rising lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 on March 18. It’s been nearly a year since Gaethje suffered a first-round submission loss to then-lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. With it being his second failed attempt to capture UFC gold, Gaethje is eager to quiet his detractors and reward his supporters with a return to the win column.

Documenting his march to London in a video series on YouTube, Justin Gaethje briefly revealed that going into a fight after a loss is understandably difficult, but he’s determined to hush the haters that believe he’ll be nothing more than a gatekeeper for the division.

“Coming off a loss is always a little different to coming off a win, especially after a loss in a championship fight,” Gaethje said. “Lot to prove. There’s a lot of haters to shut up and a lot of believers to prove right. So it’s a fun ride, man, it’s been a fun ride since day one.”

With losses against both Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov in UFC title fights, it’s clear that Justin Gaethje’s Achilles heel is his wrestling. Fortunately, ‘The Highlight’ won’t have to worry much about that as his next opponent, Rafael Fiziev, has established himself as one of the division’s top strikers. Going 6-1 inside the Octagon, Fiziev has earned knockouts in 50% of those victories guaranteeing that fans will see fireworks when the two top lightweights square off in ‘The Big Smoke’ on March 18.

Debuting for the promotion in 2017, Justin Gaethje has gone 6-4 inside the Octagon. Prior to that, he earned 10 straight victories including an impressive run as the World Series of Fighting lightweight champion. He defended the title five times before signing with the UFC. In 2020, ‘The Highlight’ captured the UFC interim lightweight title, defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. He came up short in a title unification bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov five months later.

Justin Gaethje Believes He Has “A Lot To Prove” In Return At UFC 286

Justin Gaethje believes he has a number of “haters” to silence when he returns to action later this month. The former interim UFC lightweight champion is set to cross the pond to feature at the first UK-held pay-per-view event since 2016 on…

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Believes He Has “A Lot To Prove” In Return At UFC 286 at MMA News.

Rafael Fiziev claims Conor McGregor is ‘drinking and partying too much’ ahead of his UFC return

UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev thinks that Conor McGregor parties too much’ following a run-in at the UFC Performance Institute. McGregor is set to make his Octagon return later this year, which will mark over two years since he suffered a horrendous leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor’s appearance has […]

UFC lightweight Rafael Fiziev thinks that Conor McGregor parties too much’ following a run-in at the UFC Performance Institute.

McGregor is set to make his Octagon return later this year, which will mark over two years since he suffered a horrendous leg break in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, McGregor’s appearance has changed, the Irishman now sports a bulkier physique and some even feel that his face looks different.

Fiziev, 29, said that McGregor’s look was not a good one, saying that he looks like he had been partying, and drinking, too much.

“Bro, I saw McGregor’s face when he came to the UFC P.I., I think too much party,” Fiziev said to Submission Radio. “Too much party every day. You know, his face like… he looks like he rest a lot, drink Proper 12 a lot.”

Fiziev feels that McGregor’s rival coach and next opponent, Michael chandler, has a good chance of beating him when the fight comes about.

“Yeah, I think [Michael] Chandler has a big chance to make his future sweet. Chandler, he also has good timing, has big power. He just has to do like smart, everything smart with McGregor. No need to make like something crazy like with Justin. You know, put his hands down, going forward. This he has to delete it. Have to need more smart a little bit and he can beat him for sure. I believe a hundred percent.” (H/T MMAMania)

Fiziev is coming off a stoppage victory over former champion, Rafael dos Anjos and is now set to No.3 ranked 155lber, Justin Gaethje.

Rafael Fiziev talking to Submission Radio

Is Rafael Fiziev right about Conor McGregor?

Rafael Fiziev Expects Surreal Moment Of Realization Against Justin Gaethje

UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev expects the magnitude of his upcoming fight to hit him when he’s standing across from Justin Gaethje inside the Octagon. After an impressive rise up the 155-pound rankings, Fiziev is set for his biggest tes…

Continue Reading Rafael Fiziev Expects Surreal Moment Of Realization Against Justin Gaethje at MMA News.

Rafael Fiziev excited to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 286: “I want to play with him.”

Rafael Fiziev is pumped for his upcoming scrap with Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. The two lightweights will meet on March 18 at the 02 Arena in London, England. During an appearance on Submission Radio, Fiziev spoke about his long-awaited fight with Gaethje. “[Fighting Justin Gaethje is] crazy to me. I can’t believe [it]. When […]

Rafael Fiziev is pumped for his upcoming scrap with Justin Gaethje at UFC 286.

The two lightweights will meet on March 18 at the 02 Arena in London, England.

During an appearance on Submission Radio, Fiziev spoke about his long-awaited fight with Gaethje.

“[Fighting Justin Gaethje is] crazy to me. I can’t believe [it]. When I go into the cage with Justin, when I see him in front of me in the cage, it’s still [going to be] like ‘wow!’.”

Rafael Fiziev Wants to Continue His Six-Fight Unbeaten Streak in a Big Way

Fiziev also said he wants to have a masterclass performance against “The Highlight”. He believes Gaethje has a good style but it comes at a cost.

“He [has a] very good style…he fights with heart and everybody who fights with heart has a big plus and big minus. Big minus because he fights only with heart. Big plus, you can’t break him because he fights with his heart. It’s very hard to break his mind, break his heart but if you have a good IQ…you can beat him. Easily,” Fiziev said. “I want to play with him…I want to show him [a] masterpiece…the real highlight. I want to show him.”

Fiziev (12-1) is 6-1 in his UFC career. He last fought in July 2022 at UFC Vegas 58, where he beat Rafael Dos Anjos by fifth round KO. Gaethje (23-4) will attempt to bounce back from his recent submission loss against Charles Oliveira at UFC 274. He has 19 knockouts and one submission in his MMA career.

Fiziev vs. Gaethje will be the co-main event of UFC 286. Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight title is scheduled to headline the London card.