UFC 313 results: Justin Gaethje scores vicious knockdown on Rafael Fiziev, ultimately wins unanimous decision

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Justin Gaethje is officially back.

After a devastating knockout loss in his previous outing against Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje had a lot to prove in his return to action and it’s safe to say he silenced a whole lot of doubters. Gaethje showed no fear engaging with Rafael Fiziev across all 15 minutes, and he even scored a devastating knockdown with a huge uppercut in the second round that helped him secure the fight.

When it was over, all three judges had it 29-28 for Gaethje, who returns to the win column while also moving to 2-0 against Fiziev to cap off the UFC 313 co-main event.

“World class,” Gaethje said about Fiziev after the fight. “He really changed his tactics from the last fight. I really just had to start pushing forward. He deserves so much credit. This sport is so f*cking crazy. I’m pretty sure my hand is broken but that is one tough son of a b*tch.

“I had to come back. I had to show everybody. I’m No. 3 in the world, I’m the most exciting guy that’s ever stepped in there.”

In a battle between two notable brawlers, Fiziev switched things up with some early takedowns but Gaethje stayed patient before scrambling back to his feet. Fiziev took a more measured approach with his striking than the first fight, but both lightweights were unloading with his knees and kicks to the body.

Late in the opening round, Gaethje uncorked a huge right hand that cracked Fiziev and he was also dealing with some swelling under his right eye from an earlier exchange.

As time passed, Fiziev continued to pick and choose his shots with Gaethe moving forward, trying to force him to engage. Fiziev was content with short bursts of energy and Gaethje was really starting to unload with some haymakers.

That led to a slick head kick followed a stiff punch from Fiziev that landed clean, but Gaethje came back at him with another huge overhand right. As the battle continued, Gaethje ducked his head and set up a perfectly timed uppercut that blasted Fiziev and sent him crashing to the canvas.

Gaethje followed up looking for the finish but Fiziev did enough to survive to the end of the second round.

With five minutes remaining, Fiziev looked to set up more of his kicks and he started chopping away at Gaethje with some really hard shots going to the head and body. Gaethje returned fire with more of those same uppercuts that hurt Fiziev and then coming back over the top with a hard right hand that kept doing damage.

Gaethje kept mashing down on the gas coming after Fiziev, who was slowing down — a reminder that he accepted this fight on less than two weeks’ notice. As he looked to secure the win, Gaethje unloaded a huge head kick that smacked Fiziev in the face and he continued pursuing with the same offensive onslaught that’s made him famous throughout his career.

That late surge secured the victory for Gaethje, who told Fiziev afterwards that they should train together and never fight again unless a title is on the line.

It was an impressive return for Gaethje, who faced a lot of questions after that stunning knockout loss to Holloway last year. Now with the win, Gaethje jumps right back into the deep end of the lightweight division with a whole lot of potential options awaiting him.