Light-weight contender Justin Gaethje was initially scheduled to confronted Dan Hooker within the UFC 313 co-main occasion however a hand damage pressured Hooker out of the combat. His damage led to the reserving of an thrilling rematch.
No. 11 ranked Rafael Fiziev stepped in to switch Hooker in opposition to the No. 3 ranked Gaethje. The 2 beforehand fought at UFC 286 with Gaethje successful by way of majority choice. The bout earned ‘Combat of the Night time’ honors. On Saturday, they ran it again at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
The 2 touched gloved and picked up the place they left off in March 2023 of their first assembly. Gaethje took the middle of the cage and delivered a leg kick to start out the combat. Gaethje pressured Fiziev early and Fiziev took Gaethje down. Gaethje received to his ft however was taken down once more. Within the scramble, Fiziev utilized a reverse triangle. Gaethje freed himself and exploded again to his ft. Gaethje stepped into the pocket and linked with an uppercut. Fiziev responded with a leg kick. They two clinched and Fiziev landed to knees to the physique. As soon as separated, Fiziev continued to focus on Gaethje’s physique with kicks. Gaethje tied him up earlier than separating. Gaethje linked with a tough proper hand. Gaethje regarded to get the combat to the bottom and landed a proper hand within the closing seconds. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Fiziev.
Gaethje pressured Fiziev to start out the second body. Gaethje landed a proper hand on the within. Fiziev by accident landed a low kick. The combat was restarted inside seconds. As soon as restarted, Fiziev linked with a proper hand. Gaethje landed a proper hand. He is backed Fiziev together with his stress. Gaethje linked with a mixture on the within. Fiziev went again to focusing on Gaethje’s physique. Fiziev landed a tough proper hand. Gaethje responded with a proper of his personal. They briefly clinched and Gaethje landed a proper hand on the break. Fiziev stepped in with a knee. Gaethje stepped ahead with an uppercut that dropped Fiziev. Gaethje adopted him to the canvas seeking to end. Fiziev rolled to his. knees. He stood with 20 seconds on the clock however was capable of keep out of hazard. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Gaethje.
Gaethje inched ahead to start out the ultimate spherical. He landed a brief uppercut. Fiziev responded with a stiff jab. Gaethje linked with one other uppercut. Fiziev delivered a left hook adopted by a kick to the physique. Fiziev delivered two kicks to the physique. Gaethje landed a head kick. Fiziev ate it. Gaethje started touchdown extra typically. Fiziev regarded to have slowed. Gaethje landed one other uppercut and regarded to get the combat to the bottom within the closing minute. They separated and Gaethje landed a head kick and fired off punches till the top. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Gaethje.
The judges scored the combat for Gaethje by unanimous choice. All three scorecards learn 29-28.
