LAS VEGAS – Justin Gaethje, a Safford native and one of MMA’s most explosive fighters, is set to face Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev in a high-octane lightweight rematch at UFC 313 on Saturday. The bout, serving as a co-main event at T-Mobile Arena, pits Gaethje’s renowned power and pressure against Fiziev’s speed and Muay Thai technique. Gaethje enters the cage as the hometown favorite for Arizona fans, while Fiziev looks to reassert himself among the UFC’s 155-pound elite after a long layoff. The fight offers no title on the line, but both contenders bring top-15 rankings and a reputation for all-action striking that promises an electric encounter.
Rematch of a Memorable War
This matchup comes almost two years after Gaethje and Fiziev’s first meeting, a thrilling battle at UFC 286 in London. In that 2023 bout, Gaethje edged out a majority decision victory in a back-and-forth slugfest. The Safford-born brawler’s relentless pressure, heavy hands, and trademark low calf kicks gradually slowed the quicker Fiziev, leaving the Muay Thai specialist bruised and bloodied by the final round. Fiziev, however, proved his mettle by trading strikes willingly and staying competitive to the end. Their performance earned widespread praise – a testament to the fan-friendly fireworks both lightweights delivered. That history sets the stage for Saturday’s rematch, with each man confident the second encounter will showcase their improvements while rekindling the intensity of the first.
Gaethje: Known for Brutal Strikes
Gaethje has molded his small-town wrestling roots into a world-class fighting career. A two-time state wrestling champion at Safford High School and later an All-American at Northern Colorado, Gaethje has become an ambassador for his hometown while rising through MMA’s ranks. Inside the Octagon, “The Highlight” is aptly nicknamed: he’s known for ferocious knockout power and leg kicks that can hobble opponents within minutes. Gaethje’s aggressive style often means walking through punches to land his own, a calculated recklessness that’s produced 20 knockouts in his 26 wins. In recent outings, he has shown a bit more patience and defense under coach Trevor Wittman, but the fundamentals remain the same – forward pressure, thudding strikes, and a willingness to engage in a firefight. That approach paid dividends in Gaethje’s last victory, a spectacular head-kick KO of Dustin Poirier in 2023. It has also tested his durability: after claiming the BMF title by beating Poirier, Gaethje was on the receiving end of a knockout himself against Max Holloway in April 2024. Now, coming off that setback, the 36-year-old slugger aims to remind fans and foes alike that he’s still among the most dangerous lightweights in the world.
Fiziev: Muay Thai Ace Returns from Layoff
Rafael Fiziev brings a very different striking pedigree into this fight. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Kyrgyzstan, Fiziev honed his craft in Muay Thai – even earning a world championship bronze medal for Kyrgyzstan in 2016. That background is evident in his fighting style: he delivers explosive kicks to the body and head, sharp punching combinations, and defensive agility. Fiziev transitioned to MMA with an emphasis on striking, amassing eight knockout wins so far. He is at his most dangerous trading at kickboxing range, where his speed and technique can overwhelm opponents. Notable UFC victories over standouts like former champion Rafael dos Anjos and Brad Riddell underscored Fiziev’s status as a rising contender. However, “Ataman” hasn’t competed since his loss to Gaethje in 2023 – a follow-up fight in late 2023 ended abruptly when Fiziev tore his ACL, forcing a lengthy recovery. Now fully cleared to return, Fiziev accepted this rematch on short notice after Gaethje’s original opponent withdrew, viewing it as a golden chance to avenge his prior defeat. The long layoff and limited training camp inject some uncertainty into Fiziev’s performance on Saturday, but the 32-year-old striker appears hungry and motivated as ever.
Striking Styles Collide
Stylistically, this fight is a showcase of elite strikers with contrasting approaches. Gaethje is an offensive wrecking ball – moving forward nonstop, chopping at legs, and throwing knockout punches in bunches. He’ll look to draw Fiziev into the kind of brawl where his raw power and grit can take over. Fiziev, by contrast, thrives when he can play the matador: using angles, quick kicks, and crisp combinations to pick apart foes without getting into a wild shootout. In their first encounter, Fiziev’s speed and precision gave Gaethje trouble early, while Gaethje’s pressure and low kicks wore down Fiziev as the fight progressed. Each man knows what the other brings to the table now. Gaethje may even tap into his wrestling roots if needed – he attempted a rare takedown in the last bout’s closing seconds – but both fighters have historically preferred striking over grappling. Conditioning and defense could be key factors in the rematch: Gaethje has absorbed plenty of damage in his career, whereas Fiziev is coming off injury and entering deep waters for the first time in nearly 18 months. Whose adjustments will prevail is an open question, but on paper, this rematch all but guarantees another crowd-pleasing stand-up battle.
Pride on the Line
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Gaethje carries the pride of Safford into the Octagon every time he fights. The local community has embraced him as a hometown hero, even honoring Gaethje with a key to the city last year for his accomplishments. Safford Mayor Richard Ortega praised the fighter as an outstanding ambassador for the city, and Gaethje often speaks of the “tremendous pride” he has in representing “this great little town of Safford” on the world stage. Come Saturday night, friends and family back home will be watching closely as one of their own steps under the bright lights once again. Gaethje’s journey from local wrestling standout to UFC star has already inspired many in the community. Against Fiziev, he’ll look to add another chapter to that story – one written with the kind of action and heart that has made him both a fan favorite and a source of hometown pride.
UFC 313 is scheduled for Saturday in Las Vegas, with the Gaethje vs. Fiziev bout in the late co-main event slot. The pay-per-view main card begins at 7 p.m. Arizona time on ESPN+.
