Rafael Fiziev calls out Justin Gaethje for end-of-the-year lightweight clash
UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev called out former interim champion Justin Gaethje for an end-of-the-year lightweight clash.
Fiziev is coming off the biggest win of his MMA career to date, a fifth-round TKO victory over Rafael dos Anjos this summer that cemented himself as one of the elite fighters at 155lbs. Of course, Fiziev is still trying to move up the rankings and get closer to a title shot, and the only way to do that is to fight opponents ranked above him. One such opponent is Gaethje, who is coming off of a stoppage loss to the champion Charles Oliveira back in May. Both Fiziev and Gaethje are exciting standup fighters who would definitely put on a show for the fans, and if Fiziev gets his wish, then this would be the next fight made.
Both fighters recently had their noses repaired, and Fiziev has said in the past that he likes this matchup. Speaking to The AllStar, Fiziev once again reiterated his desire to fight Gaethje at the end of the year.
“I think I can fight December. But I want this guy, bro. This yellow guy. I want him because it’s a very big challenge for me and really, this is nice fight. He like fighting stand up, and I like fighting stand up. Of course, he want to take me down, but everybody know how much Gaethje love the top,” Fiziev said (h/t MMAjunkie.com).
According to Fiziev, although he would prefer to fight in December, he is willing to wait until early next year to fight Gaethje if his opponent needs a little more time to prepare himself for this fight.
“We’ll see, but hopefully I fight December or January with this guy. Maybe January. I can wait him. I can wait him, I can wait like next year, for sure. No problem. I like it because now, my body is, I just rest, I feel good, I eat everything, what I want already. And now, mentally, I already want back to schedule, want back to diet, want to stay in shape. Skinny, you know? I miss for this,” Fiziev said.
Do you want to see Rafael Fiziev fight Justin Gaethje next, and who do you think would win the fight?
