Gaethje drops Fiziev, wins decision in rematch

Justin Gaethje earned a second win over Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 313 co-main event, defeating him via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Gaethje previously beat Fiziev by majority decision at UFC 286 in March 2023.

The rematch came together on less than two weeks' notice after Fiziev replaced Dan Hooker, who withdrew from the event due to a fractured hand.

Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, returned to the win column after suffering a last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April.

Fiziev won the first round on all three judges' scorecards, staying busier than Gaethje with knees in the clinch and kicks to the body. Fiziev also completed two takedowns.

But Gaethje took the last two rounds unanimously to cement the victory. He dropped Fiziev with a right uppercut late in the second round and tried to finish him with ground-and-pound, but Fiziev survived and got back to his feet.

Fiziev had a great start to Round 3, landing several hard strikes. But Gaethje was busier and more energetic in the second half of the frame as Fiziev tired out.

With the victory, Gaethje improves to 3-1 in his last four Octagon appearances.

Fiziev returned to the cage for the first time since tearing his ACL in a September 2023 loss to Mateusz Gamrot. He's riding a three-fight skid for the first time in his career.