Justin Gaethje is widely regarded as the most exciting fighter to ever step foot in the UFC Octagon and on Saturday night at UFC 313, he will showcase that for the 14th time.
This Saturday at UFC 313, Justin Gaethje finally returns to the Octagon after 11 months off following his brutal KO loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300.
‘The Highlight’ will take on Rafael Fiziev in what is set to be an epic rematch of their 2023 war which saw Gaethje come out with the majority decision win.
Gaethje is hopeful that with a win over the explosive striker, he can earn a surprise title shot against lightweight king, Islam Makhachev.
Justin Gaethje could join Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone in exclusive club
Despite being widely regarded as one of the most exciting fighters ever, Gaethje believes he has been ‘too safe’ in his recent performances and will change his style against Fiziev.
However, although ‘The Highlight’ has been critical of his own performances recently, with an impressive win over ‘Attaman’, he could join an exclusive club that only Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone is part of.
‘Cowboy’ leads the way with the most post-fight bonuses in UFC history and his 18 bonuses have exceeded $1million.
Gaethje has amassed 13 post-fight bonuses in 13 UFC fights, accumulating to $900,000, thanks to a huge $300,000 bonus earned at UFC 300 for Fight of the Night.
The 36-year-old has the chance to join Cerrone by earning $1million in post-fight bonuses with a big win over Fiziev at UFC 313. If ‘The Highlight’ wins Performance of the Night and their fight is awarded Fight of the Night, Gaethje will join Cerrone.
There is certainly a good chance Gaethje will complete the feat as his first fight against Fiziev at UFC 286 won Fight of the Night and their rematch is almost guaranteed to live up to expectation.
Justin Gaethje hopeful of earning lightweight title shot with a big win
Despite having considered his future in the sport following his loss to Holloway, Gaethje has admitted that he wants to go on one more run to the undisputed title.
Current 155lb king, Islam Makhachev recently defended his title for the fourth time when he submitted Renato Moicano at UFC 311.
Following his impressive record-breaking win, Makhachev admitted that he feels there aren’t many more contenders for him at the weight class.
However, Gaethje believes he could be next to fight for the title as the Russian champion continues to downplay the potential of a superfight against Ilia Topuria.