The lightweight division in the UFC just keeps getting better and better. With the Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski fight already being one of the biggest fights of 2023, the 155lb division has now gifted a potential certified banger fight in two of the hardest hitters in the UFC by announcing the Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev fight.
Justin Gaethje got his second shot at the title against Charles Oliveira on UFC 274. He hyped up the fight by calling Oliveira a quitter and promised big things. But in reality, Justin himself tapped out and took a somewhat long hiatus from competing as he claimed to have suffered an injury by falling off his bike.
Rafael FIziev has been tearing up the lightweight division from the bottom up facing one killer after the other. The Tiger Muay Thai prodigy had a rough start in the UFC after losing to Magomed Mustafaev on his debut match. However, the Azerbaizani has turned things around fast by defeating the likes of Renato Moicano, Bobby Green, Rafael Dos Anjos and Brad Ridell.
The Kazakhstan-born fighter has become famous for his vicious power and many of his wins came via KO/TKO. After defeating the former champ Rafael Dos Anjos, Rafael was looking to fight someone from the top spots in Lightweight. And who is a better matchup for the ‘Ataman’ than Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje.
When will the Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev fight be held?
During a recent interview with Captain Hardcore, Ataman said, “I’m not announcing anything, but the UFC promised us that I’ll be fighting Justin Gaethje in March. Everyone wants this fight, Dana White wants this fight. I was told to get ready for March.”
He revealed further information saying, “We’re waiting for the contract to make it official. That’s what it is as of now. If something changes, I’ll be shocked. If it gets cancelled, I’ll record a story like, ‘UFC, what’s going on?’ Location is the only question. They said either March 4. or 18.”
Let’s hope the fight finally gets made.
