Rafael Fiziev has stepped in to switch the injured Dan Hooker in opposition to Justin Gaethje within the UFC 313 co-main occasion at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas on March 8. The battle promotion made the announcement on Wednesday.
A number of fighters supplied to fill in after the information broke the Hooker was out of the battle with a hand damage. Fiziev was the one finally chosen and the rematch set.
Gaethje and Fiziev first fought at UFC 286 in March 2023. Gaethje narrowly defeated “Ataman” by majority resolution and now they will run it again almost two years later.
Fiziev (12-3) is coming off back-to-back losses for the primary time in his profession. After dropping the bulk resolution to Gaethje, Fiziev misplaced to Mateusz Gamrot on account of damage. The 31-year outdated hasn’t fought since September 2023. He is ranked No. 11 within the 155-pound weight class.
Gaethje (25-5) final fought at UFC 300 final April, shedding to Max Holloway by knockout in a battle for the symbolic “BMF” belt. Gaethje is ranked No. 3 within the light-weight division.
UFC 313 is headlined by a middleweight title bout. Champion Alex Pereira places his belt on the road in opposition to high 205-pound contender Magomed Ankalaev. It is going to be the second time Ankalaev has fought for the sunshine heavyweight championship. He confronted Jan Błachowicz for the vacant title at UFC 282 however the battle resulted in a break up draw.
