Former BMF champ Justin Gaethje understands the stakes ahead of his UFC 313 rematch with Rafael Fiziev.
Justin Gaethje will make his Octagon return almost a full year removed from his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. After taking a long hiatus following the buzzer-beating knockout, Gaethje understands what’s on the line at UFC 313 if the previous result is replicated in Las Vegas.
Gaethje lost the BMF belt to Holloway at UFC 300 in one of the legendary fights in Mixed Martial Arts lore. Before the Holloway fight, he won the BMF belt by destructively finishing Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.
Similar to Poirier, Gaethje is looking to rebound from the jaws of defeat from his previous Octagon appearance. The UFC fan favorite Gaethje treated fans to some of the wildest clashes in combat sports history, with the Holloway bout sitting atop most fans’ lists.
Justin Gaethje answers calls to retire after brutal KO loss to Max Holloway
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Gaethje acknowledged what’s on the line for him at UFC 313.
“I ain’t going out like that. But if it happens again, I’m sure that will be it,” Gaethje said. “I think the human body is very resilient, and it needs time. Took time, took six months without getting hit, and I think we play the most violent sport in the world, but I don’t think it’s the most dangerous for that specific favor. We can take time between these traumatic brain injuries…
“One could be detrimental, but I feel pretty good right now. So I think that it’s a crazy ride that we’ve been on, but the human body is resilient, and I think the six months I took off was very healthy for me and my recovery.”
Luckily for Gaethje, he enters his upcoming rematch with short-notice opponent Rafael Fiziev with some room to feel confident in his chances. Gaethje defeated Fiziev in their first clash at UFC 286 by split decision and fights with a style that has historically frustrated Fiziev inside the cage.
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Justin Gaethje faces a familiar foe in the UFC 313 co-main event
But Gaethje won’t enter UFC 313 with a safe approach. He plans on returning to the aggressive form that saw him earn wins over the likes of Poirier, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler.
Gaethje envisions another potential lightweight title shot before he hangs up the gloves. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is expected to return later this year, potentially against Ilia Topuria, but Gaethje eyes cementing himself as the next man up over Topuria.
Depending on the result of the UFC 313 co-main, Gaethje could potentially be on the last legs of his fighting career. But with his back against the wall, Gaethje is arguably at his best.