UFC 313: Justin Gaethje Gets New Opponent, Faces Rafael Fiziev In Lightweight Rematch
February 27, 2025
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Justin Gaethje didn’t have to wait long for his new assignment at UFC 313, and it’s a fight with a very familiar opponent.
Gaethje was due to face New Zealand’s Dan Hooker at the March 8 event in Las Vegas, but a fractured hand ruled “The Hangman” out of their co-main event clash.
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Justin Gaethje punches Rafael Fiziev during the Lightweight Bout between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev at The O2 Arena on March 18, 2023 in London, England. Justin Gaethje punches Rafael Fiziev during the Lightweight Bout between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev at The O2 Arena on March 18, 2023 in London, England. Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Almost immediately after the news broke of Hooker’s enforced withdrawal, three top-10 lightweight contenders offered to step in, with Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot, Brazil’s Renato Moicano, and Kyrgyzstan’s Rafael Fiziev all throwing their hat into the ring to face “The Highlight”.
And, in an announcement made on Instagram Live, UFC president and CEO Dana White announced that Fiziev will step in to face Gaethje at the event at T-Mobile Arena.
The fight offers Fiziev a short-notice shot at revenge after Gaethje edged him on the scorecards via majority decision at UFC 286 in London in March 2023.
Since then, Fiziev has fought just once, against Gamrot in the main event of UFC Vegas 79 in September 2023. He lost the fight via injury TKO after sustaining a knee injury during that bout.
Now, after 18 months on the sidelines, “Ataman” is ready to return, and will step in to face Gaethje on less than two weeks’ notice.
The bout also offers Gaethje a chance to bounce back. His last appearance inside the Octagon saw him dramatically knocked out in the last second of his BMF title defense against former featherweight champion Max Holloway at UFC 300.
Now the former interim UFC lightweight champion will bid to get back to winning ways with a second career victory over Fiziev.
Gaethje vs Fiziev will form the new three-round co-main event for Las Vegas on March 8, with the fight card headed by a light heavyweight title bout between reigning 205-pound champion Alex Pereira and Russian contender Magomed Ankalaev.
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UFC 313: Confirmed bouts
MAIN CARD
Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev – lightweight
Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes – lightweight
Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo – women’s strawweight
King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy – lightweight
PRELIMINARY CARD
Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev – heavyweight
Joshua Van vs Rei Tsuruya – flyweight
Brunno Ferreira vs Armen Petrosyan – middleweight
Alex Morono vs Carlos Leal – welterweight
EARLY PRELIMS
Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall – featherweight
Djorden Santos vs Ozzy Diaz – middleweight
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