Rafael Fiziev is closer than ever to having his wish come true.
Kazakhstan’s favorite fighting lightweight son has made it clear who he wants to fight since reaching the division’s official Top 15. Fiziev wants former UFC interim champion Justin Gaethje and according to him, the matchup is currently being worked on for the first quarter of 2023.
“I’m not announcing anything, but the UFC promised us that I’ll be fighting Justin Gaethje in March,” Fiziev told Captain Hardcore (h/t Red Corner MMA). “Everyone wants this fight, Dana White wants this fight. I was told to get ready for March.
“We’re waiting for the contract to make it official. That’s what it is as of now. If something changes, I’ll be shocked.”
One of the highlighted “issues” around the lightweight elite in recent months has been that all of the most notable names have only been fighting each other. Therefore, the rising contenders aren’t getting their opportunities to climb and further establish themselves.
Fellow contender alongside Fiziev, Arman Tsarukyan, noted recently how the likes of Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler only fight each other and need to fight new faces or leave. For Gaethje, his last fight came opposite the former champion Charles Oliveira, who is also in that mix, and last expressed interest in a Poirier rematch over all other options. Despite that, Fiziev has full confidence that things will materialize in his favor.
“If it gets canceled, I’ll record a story like, ‘UFC, what’s going on?’” Fiziev said. “[Location] is the only question. They said either [London or Las Vegas], March 4 or 18.
“I like that the UFC supported this fight from the beginning. Gaethje is being quiet, [his manager] Ali Abdelaziz tried to say something. They are still doing what they’ve been doing. The UFC wants it. When the UFC wants it, they make it happen.”
To say Fiziev has earned his shot at a top-tier name like Gaethje is an understatement. “Ataman’s” biggest career win yet came in his last time out in July 2022, knocking out former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos to extend his current streak to six straight.
While Gaethje’s popularity alone would boost Fiziev after a potential win, there are several other factors worth mentioning.
“Probably everything combined,” Fiziev said of his interest in Gaethje. “It’s a big challenge for me. It’s a dangerous fight for me. He’s a strong fighter, it’s also something very interesting for me, something that brings me joy and makes me energetic.
“I’ve never seen anyone call out Gaethje. Nobody said, ‘Gaethje, Gaethje, Gaethje, come fight me.’ Not sure, maybe you can correct me. I like that. I like that I’m the first to call him out and I truly want to fight him. Also, it’ll bring me closer to the title. I know I’m close. If I beat Gaethje in spectacular fashion, I’ll easily be able to fight for the title.”
TOP STORIES
Shakeup. Kelvin Gastelum out, Sean Strickland now faces Nassourdine Imavov in UFC Vegas 67 main event
Reaction. KSI on Dillon Danis withdrawing from fight: ‘We probably had a bit too much faith in him’
Hiatus. Khabib Nurmagomedov ‘taking some time off for his family’ but undecided on longterm future in MMA
Bait. Michael Bisping calls Jake Paul challenging Nate Diaz to MMA fight ‘all smoke and mirrors’
Confidence. Marlon Vera confident UFC title shot will come: ‘They do want me to hold the belt’
Departure. Francisco Trinaldo ‘a bit offended’ by UFC release, likes the idea of PFL tourney next
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Free fight.
Silva’s title capture.
Top 5 2022 Bellator debuts.
Invicta FC 51 trailer.
BTS.
Khamzat in Dubai part 3.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Sure isn’t.
I don’t knock Herro. It’s not something he’s familiar with and he’s trying to learn and I’ll never make fun of that.
But I will knock a trainer (assuming he’s training him) who says “again just like that” when “just like that” is not the way to do it https://t.co/O4OPM9ukhI— Jillian DeCoursey (@lionheartjill) January 9, 2023
Cinema.
Photos of Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal from the “Road House” movie set pic.twitter.com/nCrYMXWehL
— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) January 9, 2023
Why is he kind for your thievery, Paulo?
Merab is a very nice guy. I stoles his food in UFC pi for long 2 months and he never said nothing. he has a good taste for shrimps and rice btw
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) January 9, 2023
Throwback.
Fight Week! From high school best friends, college roommates, training partners at XC, now they’re back to back on the same @ufc card!! @Dynamitedan808 @puna185 pic.twitter.com/52v4HwbLOU
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) January 9, 2023
Possible.
3rd kid’s gonna be named Battlestations. https://t.co/tl4E6qmPvc
— Zane Simon (@TheZaneSimon) January 9, 2023
The Last Emperor.
Fedor Emelianenko throws, trips, and takedowns pic.twitter.com/otJRlZf8Ag
— Miguel Class (@MigClass) January 9, 2023
Cool.
Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira (2022) pic.twitter.com/qeROJtgXg4
— Fight Pics That Go Hard (@fightpicsgohard) January 9, 2023
Safety first.
Gave his opponent’s mouthpiece back just to beat the sh*t out of him pic.twitter.com/HWOQv5OnpE
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) January 9, 2023
Have you?
Have you hugged your kid today ? #mma #ufc pic.twitter.com/bQhiWnJ0Ul
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) January 9, 2023
Travels.
Being on airplane stuck just sitting on the tarmac is the worst! #travelingsucks
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 10, 2023
Nice.
Robert Whittaker reading mean tweets is the best thing you’ll see all day pic.twitter.com/iNTsLR1E36
— The Patrick McCorry Sports Show (@Patrick_McCorry) January 9, 2023
Reaction.
I’m extremely disappointed to say the least. This not how I wanted to start 2023.
I worked my ass off & battled through a lot of adversary and was ready to put on a hell of a show this weekend.
I apologize to Imavov, his camp as well as @ufc and all the fans. #OnAmission4Gold— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 9, 2023
I have the best support system!
Love you all! Appreciate you all that send good energy and your kind words.— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 9, 2023
Graphic imaging ⚠️‼️ pic.twitter.com/L8jhdRgV0F
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 10, 2023
He is speed.
Sheesh pic.twitter.com/MlgYCjYgUM
— MMA mania (@mmamania) January 9, 2023
Wild view.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nassourdine Imavov (12-3) vs. Sean Strickland (25-5); UFC Vegas 67, Jan. 14
Rin Nakai (25-2-1) vs. Aoi Kuriyama (4-4-1); DEEP JEWELS 40, Feb. 18
FINAL THOUGHTS
As much fun as Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 would be, any and all Gaethje fights are fun so it doesn’t really matter. Let’s give the new guys a chance to prove themselves.
Thanks for reading!
POLL POSITION
Last Week’s Results:
Friday: 83% of 528 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Is Islam Makhachev the most well-rounded lightweight of all time?”
Wednesday: 55% of 808 total votes answered “Cory Sandhagen” when asked, “Who’s your early pick?” Sandhagen vs. Marlon “Chito” Vera headlines UFC Vegas 69 on Feb. 18.
Tuesday: 48% of 600 total votes answered “Khamzat Chimaev vs. Colby Covington” when asked, “Which fight has the most realistic chance of happening in 2023?”
Monday: 63% of 380 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Do Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera rematch in 2023 with the belt on the line?”
Today’s exit poll:
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/10/23547419/morning-report-rafael-fiziev-promised-justin-gaethje-fight-in-march-will-be-shocked-if-doesnt-happen?rand=96749
