There is a clear mutual respect between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev prior to UFC 313 this Saturday.
After they had already shared the octhoek together in 2023 when they fought in an epic fight in London, Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev got a new respect for each other.
After being brutally eliminated by Max Holloway on UFC 300 in April, Gaethje booked his UFC recovery for UFC 313 and a 'guaranteed trip to the hospital' fight against Dan hooker.
Unfortunately, however, just over a week from the fight, Hooker announced that he was outside because of a broken hand and that came in Fiziev to take the opportunity.
Read more: Justin Gaethje's hilarious reaction to Underdog against Rafael Fiziev unveiled … “I went to sleep the last time”
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Rafael Fiziev and Justin Gaethje meet during the Vechtweek
Although the first meeting of Gaethje and Fiziev was a well -disputed fight, 'Attaman' admitted a few days from their Rematch that he believes it is a 'miracle' that Gaethje accepted to fight with him, since there are now eight places between them in the rankings.
“This is a miracle for me,” Gaethje told the Ariel Helwani show.
“Every time I have an interview where people (asked me): 'Do you want a rematch? What do you think of a rematch? 'And I say:' No, listen, now I am far from Justin and this cannot happen because I may have to win two (more) battles or more if I want a rematch with him.
“But rather (I can do that) maybe he will retire or maybe he stops, I don't know.” Now? It is like, wow, a miracle, “he went on.
Without the Azeri who accepted the opportunity for late notification, Gaethje would probably have been left without a fight, since both Arman Tsarukyan and Renato Moicano would be the chance to fight to fight 'the highlight'.
And with that, when the two light weights met each other against their fight for a few days, it was not just Fiziev who expressed his gratitude.
'Thank you, thank you. Seriously, thanks, “Trevor Wittman told Fiziev.
“Thank you, man. Thank you for the birthday gift, man, 'Fiziev told Gaethje.
'Certainly, hey, you too. Let's go, let's have fun, “Gaethje replied.
Could Rafael Fiziev start the title interview with a victory?
The top of the lightweight division is currently in a strange position, with the champion, Islam Makhachev, hoping to then fight a real 155lber, instead of a potential fight against Ilia Topuria.
Now that Gaethje is classified by number three in the division, he believes that he can earn a title shot with an exciting victory over Fiziev, especially because Makhachev has called him a potential opponent.
With that, if 'Attaman' manages to take revenge on Gaethje, he may be in the top 5 of the lightweight division and he would be a brand new competition for the Russian champion to consider.
Although the 32-year-old technically seen back-to-back losses against Gaethje and Mateusz Gamrot, his fight against the pole ended without mercy after he had blown up his knee.
A victory over 'The Highlight' would show that he is a real competition in the division and given the earlier comments from Makhachev, he was able to find himself in the title interview.
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