Rafael Fiziev

2023 - 3 - 19

Post cover — Image courtesy of "CBSSports.com"

UFC 286 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje outlasts Rafael Fiziev for ... (CBSSports.com)

Gaethje teased his impending retirement as he makes one last run for the UFC lightweight title.

Round 1 likely belonged to Fiziev, Round 2 was a tossup and Round 3 was certainly Gaethje's most decisive round despite the early scare. Gaethje, an accomplished collegiate wrestler, secured the first takedown of his 11-fight UFC career on Fiziev. "I'm taking one more run at the title, but I won't be around for much longer," Gaethje told UFC commentator Daniel Cormier in a post-fight interview at the O2 Arena in London, England. Fiziev repeatedly talked trash between his blitzes while Gaethje maintained a sense of humor despite the grueling pace. Gaethje proved he still has what it takes at the highest level while living up to his reputation as the sport's most violent fighter in a It appeared for a moment that the end was near early in Round 3.

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev full fight video highlights (MMA Fighting)

UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 took place March 18 at The 02 in London, England. Justin Gaethje (24-4) and Rafael Fiziev (12-2) clashed in a pivotal lightweight ...

Fiziev lands a body kick but Gaethje with a combo. Gaethje with a combo. Gaethje thudding a jab. And Gaethje lands a clubbing left as Fiziev steps in. He seems to be okay but Fiziev lands another knee and Gaethje might be hurt. Gaethje ducks his head right into a MONSTER knee and Gaethje is fine. And a low kick. Gaethje lands a good uppercut into a clinch. Exchange from the two and Gaethje lands a right hand but Fiziev lands two! Fiziev lands a mean knee. Justin Gaethje (24-4) and Rafael Fiziev (12-2) clashed in a pivotal lightweight contest in the night’s co-main event. Gaethje lands a thudding leg kick of his own.

UFC 286 results, highlight videos: Justin Gaethje takes majority ... (Bloody Elbow)

Check out the live results and highlights for Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev from the UFC 286 co-main event.

The face of Fiziev was covered in blood at this point, and Gaethje was feeling himself so much that he even hit a last-second takedown the put an exclamation point on the round. He holds a 1-0 record in pro MMA and holds a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. The fight resumed and the athletes went back to trading. On the other hand, Fiziev has some of the most polished kickboxing in the UFC, and Gaethje has shown to be more than willing to take one (or two or three) in order to deliver his own firepower. Fiziev continued to pour it on in the second round, launching lightening quick combos at the former interim champ. Fiziev started to wing heaters at Gaethje, attacking to the head and body, and then following up with hard body kicks.

UFC 286: Justin Gaethje ignores game plan, decisions Rafael Fiziev ... (Yahoo Sports)

I literally tried not to do that,” Gaethje said of the wild fight he'd just won.

Justin Gaethje Defeats Rafael Fiziev by Majority Decision at UFC 286 (Bleacher Report)

Justin Gaethje picked up a massive win in the co-main event of UFC 286 from the O2 Arena in London, England, defeating Rafael Fiziev via majority decision.…

"Then, after that, there is Poirier that is in front of me, Oliveira in front of me who's going to fight Dariush, and the winner of that fight is going to fight for the title. A fight between the two makes sense, and everyone would be a winner. Now, The Diamond finds himself in a very similar situation. Still, Gaethje understands that his recent losses are going to keep him from a title shot in the immediate future. That loss made it two out of the last three for the always-exciting Gaethje. It was a much-needed bounce-back performance for the 34-year-old.

Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev Produce Instant Classic at UFC 286 (Sports Brief)

SportsBrief.com News - Justin Gaethje secured a unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev as the two Lightweights produced an instant classic in the ...

The big shots took its toll on Fiziev as he suffered a few cuts to his face from the onslaught. The Highlight will look to earn another bonus this coming Saturday when he squares off with the surging Rafael Fiziev. He started the third round with incredible shots, a few of them seemingly rattled Gaethje.