Justin Gaethje is formally again.
After a devastating knockout loss in his earlier outing in opposition to Max Holloway at UFC 300, Gaethje had lots to show in his return to motion and it’s protected to say he silenced a complete lot of doubters. Gaethje confirmed no worry partaking with Rafael Fiziev throughout all quarter-hour, and he even scored a devastating knockdown with an enormous uppercut within the second spherical that helped him safe the combat.
When it was over, all three judges had it 29-28 for Gaethje, who returns to the win column whereas additionally shifting to 2-0 in opposition to Fiziev to cap off the UFC 313 co-main occasion.
“World class,” Gaethje stated about Fiziev after the combat. “He actually modified his techniques from the final combat. I actually simply needed to begin pushing ahead. He deserves a lot credit score. This sport is so f*cking loopy. I’m fairly positive my hand is damaged however that’s one robust son of a b*tch.
“I needed to come again. I needed to present everyone. I’m No. 3 on the earth, I’m probably the most thrilling man that’s ever stepped in there.”
In a battle between two notable brawlers, Fiziev switched issues up with some early takedowns however Gaethje stayed affected person earlier than scrambling again to his toes. Fiziev took a extra measured strategy together with his placing than the primary combat, however each lightweights had been unloading together with his knees and kicks to the physique.
Late within the opening spherical, Gaethje uncorked an enormous proper hand that cracked Fiziev and he was additionally coping with some swelling beneath his proper eye from an earlier alternate.
As time handed, Fiziev continued to select and select his photographs with Gaethe shifting ahead, attempting to power him to have interaction. Fiziev was content material with quick bursts of vitality and Gaethje was actually beginning to unload with some haymakers.
That led to a slick head kick adopted a stiff punch from Fiziev that landed clear, however Gaethje got here again at him with one other enormous overhand proper. Because the battle continued, Gaethje ducked his head and arrange a wonderfully timed uppercut that blasted Fiziev and despatched him crashing to the canvas.
Gaethje adopted up searching for the end however Fiziev did sufficient to outlive to the top of the second spherical.
With 5 minutes remaining, Fiziev appeared to arrange extra of his kicks and he began chopping away at Gaethje with some actually onerous photographs going to the pinnacle and physique. Gaethje returned hearth with extra of those self same uppercuts that damage Fiziev after which coming again excessive with a tough proper hand that saved doing harm.
Gaethje saved mashing down on the fuel coming after Fiziev, who was slowing down — a reminder that he accepted this combat on lower than two weeks’ discover. As he appeared to safe the win, Gaethje unloaded an enormous head kick that smacked Fiziev within the face and he continued pursuing with the identical offensive onslaught that’s made him well-known all through his profession.
That late surge secured the victory for Gaethje, who advised Fiziev afterwards that they need to prepare collectively and by no means combat once more until a title is on the road.
It was a powerful return for Gaethje, who confronted loads of questions after that gorgeous knockout loss to Holloway final 12 months. Now with the win, Gaethje jumps proper again into the deep finish of the light-weight division with a complete lot of potential choices awaiting him.
