In anticipation of his short notification against Rafael Fiziev on UFC 313, Justin Gaethje has stated that he wants to return to his roots.
In just over a week, one of the most exciting hunters of the UFC ever, Justin Gaethje will return to the Octagon, when he accepts colleague -Exexplosive striker, Rafael Fiziev on UFC 313.
Originally 'The Highlight' was planned to compete against Dan Hooker in a guaranteed fight of the year candidate, but Hooker withdrew from the fight because of a broken hand.
Fortunately, the promotion succeeded in booking a rematch between Gaethje and Fiziev in the short term, with their first fight a 2023 Fight of the Year -Competer.
Read more: Justin Gaethje explains why he could steal a lightweight title shot from Ilia Topuria with a victory over UFC 313
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Justin Gaethje believes that he has been 'too safe' in recent fights
UFC 313 On March 8, Gaethje's first fight since UFC 300 marks last April when he was devastating by Max Holloway in the last second of their BMF title fight.
After having had such a brutal knockout loss, Gaethje considered retiring the sport because he was not sure if he could make his way back to an undisputed lightweight title fight.
That said, 'the highlight' is still number three in the 155LB division and a victory over Fiziev could bring him back to the conversation with Islam Makhachev who wonders who will be his next opponent.
Although he is generally considered one of, if not the most exciting hunter in the sport, Gaethje has been critical of his last few versions, claiming that he has been 'too safe' and returns to the old version of himself on 8 March.
“I think I am not ahead of not going as much as I should in this sport, and if you look at the champions, they will move forward 70 to 80% of the time and I think that should be implemented if you want to be successful in this sport,” Gaethje told Shakmma.
“I think that is true by (de) Michael Chandler and Fiziev (fighting), I have found a little success with safer and ultimately, that is not the answer.
“If you have viewed the World Series of Fighting Gaethje, that is with whom you will see (this version) just more refined. I clearly have much better skills than in those days and that is my way of thinking, “Gaethje continued.
Justin Gaethje comments on the permanent switch from Ilia Topuria to lightweight
Gaethje believes that with a big win over UFC 313 he can protect himself the next lightweight title shot as both hunters above him, Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, probably probably the next.
The current unknown factor in 155 pounds is Ilia Topuria. The Spaniard recently left its featherweight title and declared its permanent switch to lightweight and hopes for an immediate title shot.
Nevertheless, Makhachev and his team believe that Topuria needs one victory against a top candidate before he can fight for the title, making the door possible for 'the highlight'.
In anticipation of 'El Matador's' to the weight class, Gaethje believes that the 28-year-old fits extremely well and he is not worried about the fact that he is naturally a featherweight.
“I think he is a featherweight that comes to lightweight, is not a factor, I think we have seen that with Max Holloway … The confidence he has now is what he has for him the most.
“I think he is a force to take into account, absolutely. He is very dangerous, he is convinced, we will see how things are going. Styles make matchups, we will see what kind of matchup he gets, “said the former interim champion.
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