Rafael Fiziev claims ‘UFC are pushing for fight against Justin Gaethje’
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Rafael Fiziev claims ‘UFC wants him to face Justin Gaethje next’ and big lightweight showdown could take place on London undercard in March
- Justin Gaethje hasn’t fought since losing to Charles Oliveira last year
- American has twice come up short at the final hurdle in his bid for a UFC title
- Rising star Rafael Fiziev says the promotion wants him to face ‘The Highlight’
- He is ranked No. 6 in the division, three places below the popular American
Rafael Fiziev claims he is close to securing a big fight with lightweight Justin Gaethje later this year.
The rising star from Azerbaijan is now ranked No. 6 in the division, three spots below ‘The Highlight’, who hasn’t fought since losing to Charles Oliveira last year.
Fiziev claims that the UFC is looking at the fight and it could take place in March.
Rafael Fiziev could fight Justin Gaethje at UFC London this March if all goes to plan
Charles Oliveira submitted Justin Gaethje in the first round of their fight last May
“I’m not announcing anything, but the UFC promised us that I will fight Justin Gaethje in March,” Fiziev told Captain Hardcore.
We are waiting for the contract to make it official. That’s what it is from now on. If something changes, I’ll be surprised.
‘If it gets cancelled, I’ll record a story like, ‘UFC, what’s going on?’ Fizyev said. ‘[Location] is the only question. They said neither [London or Las Vegas]March 4 or 18.
‘I like that the UFC supported this fight from the beginning. Gaethje is silent, [his manager] Ali Abdelaziz tried to say something. They are still doing what they have been doing. The UFC wants it. When the UFC wants it, they make it happen.’
Gaethje is ranked No. 3 at lightweight, three places ahead of the Azerbaijani rising star.
Fiziev defeated Raphael dos Anjos in his last outing in July 2022 and is currently riding a six-fight winning streak.
The lightweight division needs fresh blood at the top and many of the top five contenders have already fought each other.
Fiziev will love his chances to break through, but if Gaethje accepts it will be an incredible stylistic matchup between two impressive forwards.
Fiziev has won his last six fights and looks like he could become one of the top title contenders.
He continued: ‘It’s a big challenge for me. It is a dangerous fight for me. He is a strong fighter, it is also something very interesting for me, something that gives me joy and gives me energy.
‘I have never seen anyone call Gaethje. No one said, ‘Gaethje, Gaethje, Gaethje, come fight me.’ I’m not sure, maybe you can correct me. I like that. I like that I am the first to call him and I really want to fight him.
‘Also, it will bring me closer to the title. I know I’m close. If I beat Gaethje in spectacular fashion, I can easily challenge for the title.’