Justin Gaethje Defeats Rafael Fiziev in Back-And-Forth Slugfest – UFC 313 Highlights

Gaethje earned a unanimous decision victory over Fiziev in the UFC 313 co-main event on Saturday night

Last updated on March 9th, 2025

In the UFC 313 co-main event, Justin Gaethje returned to the Octagon for a rematch with Rafael Fiziev.

Originally, Gaethje was scheduled to face Dan Hooker, but ‘The Hangman’ was forced to bow out of the bout, paving the way for Fiziev to step in and run it back with the man who bested him in 2023 via majority decision.

Round 1

Gaethje opens the offense with a calf kick to Fiziev and ‘Ataman’ fires one right back. Gaethje throws another leg kick, but Fiziev uses it to score an early takedown. Gaethje fights his way back up and initiates his own takedown, but ends up on the bottom and trapped in a reverse triangle choke. Fiziev unleashes a few ground-and-pound strikes to Gaethje’s body. That prompts ‘The Highlight’ to scramble his way back up.

Once upright, Gaethje lands a big right hand that has Fiziev’s eye swelled up. The commentators suggest that a leg kick could have Fiziev compromised as the first round comes to a close.

Round 2

Gaethje swings early in the second, but Fiziev stays elusive. Fiziev fires back but appears to catch Gaethje in the groin with a body kick which brings a pause to the bout. Moments later the fight resumes and they continue to slug it out in the center of the Octagon. Fiziev connects with a nice shot to the body. Gaethje comes back with a right hand that catches Fiziev, but ‘Ataman’ gives him his receipt courtesy of a stiff right.

Fiziev clinches up and lands a few kicks up the middle before separating. With 90 seconds to go in the round, both fighters continue to stand and trade in the center of the Octagon. Fiziev lands a nice knee to the face, but Gaethje returns fire with a nasty uppercut that puts Fiziev on the mat. Gaethje follows him to the canvas and lands a few shots before Fiziev fights his way back up. The round ends with Gaethje missing a head-kick attempt.

Round 3

Fiziev comes out firing a wheel kick, but Gaethje sees it coming and blocks accordingly. Fiziev lands a stiff inside leg kick and Gaethje swings away with a right. He tries to land another uppercut, but Fiziev evades. Fiziev lands a stiff left hook during an exchange and Gaethje throws a body kick. Fiziev triples up on the body kick forcing Gaethje to back away. Fiziev approaches and Gaethje once again looks for an uppercut. Gaethje connects with a three-punch combination. Fiziev clinches up and lands some nasty knees up the middle. Gaethje catches Fiziev with a right on the break.

While tied up, Gaethje throws a high kick that connects, but there’s not enough on it to drop Fiziev. Gaethje continues to fight in close, landing a combination near the fence. Fiziev appears to be fading with just over a minute to go in the bout. Gaethje lands an uppercut and goes for a takedown. Gaethje backs Fiziev against the fence before backing away and landing a head kick that connects with Fiziev’s chin. Fiziev eats it and tries to respond, but it’s all Gaethje through the final horn.

Official Result: Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)