Justin Gaethje has been scrambling for an opponent since his UFC 313 co-main event fell apart earlier this week.
‘The Highlight’ was supposed to face fellow lightweight contender Dan Hooker in an eagerly anticipated five-round clash just before Alex Pereira takes on Magomed Ankalaev for light heavyweight gold in Las Vegas on March 8.
On Tuesday, Hooker prompted a mad scramble by withdrawing from the fight after breaking his hand in sparring.
It’s now been announced that Rafael Fiziev will battle Justin Gaethje over three rounds at UFC 313 on 10 days’ notice.
Justin Gaethje names five fighters who refused UFC 313 call
It’s safe to say Rafael Fiziev wouldn’t have been at the top of Dana White‘s list of replacement opponents.
Gaethje beat him by majority decision when they clashed at UFC 286 in London on March 18, 2023.
However, it appears Fiziev was the only contender ready and willing to make 156lbs on short notice.
After his new UFC 313 opponent was announced, Gaethje named five fighters who got the call to face him before the powers that be decided to go with ‘Ataman’
“Arman [Tsarukyan] and Charles [Oliveira] understandably said no. Max [Holloway] and Dustin [Poirier] understandably said no. [Renato] Moicano got the call and said no,” the former interim UFC champion tweeted on Wednesday evening.
He added: “Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against an elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th #UFC313”
Arman Tsarukyan denies rejecting UFC 313 fight
As you would expect, Gaethje’s X – formerly known as Twitter – post got a ton of attention from fans.
It also prompted a response from Arman Tsarukyan, who insists he agreed to face Gaethje at UFC 313.
The Armenian is looking for a way back into title contention after withdrawing from a UFC 311 title fight with Islam Makhachev on 24 hours’ notice in January.
‘Akhalkalakets’ says the reason he didn’t get the short-notice opportunity was because he asked for the contest to take place at a catchweight.
“I didn’t say no,” Tsarukyan said in response to Gaethje’s tweet.
“I accepted immediately and asked for a 160lbs catchweight 11 days out from weigh ins, UFC said that wasn’t an option.”