Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Justin Gaethje (red gloves) reacts after fighting Rafael Fiziev (not pictured) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Justin Gaethje Reveals What It Will Take To Get A Win Over Islam Makhachev!

Justin Gaethje knows the danger that lies ahead and affirms to work hard to have his long awaited fight and win over Islam Makhachev!

The level of competition in the UFC lightweight division remains brutal and unforgiving. Justin Gaethje knows this better than most. The man they call ‘The Highlight’ has been through wars that would break ordinary fighters. His blood-soaked battles against Tony Ferguson, Rafael Fiziev and Dan Hooker have become the stuff of legend.

Few fighters have given more of themselves to entertain the fans. Gaethje’s willingness to absorb damage while dishing out his own has earned him a special place in UFC folklore. But that same approach has also cost him in his previous title shots.

After suffering a devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April, many wondered if Gaethje’s best days were behind him. The image of him falling face-first onto the canvas with just one second left in the fight haunted fans for weeks. It wasn’t just that he lost the BMF title, it was how he lost it that raised questions about his future.

This matchup didn't disappoint AGAIN 👏@Justin_Gaethje gets the UD victory at #UFC313! pic.twitter.com/kxIERtf4CF
— UFC (@ufc) March 9, 2025

At 36 years old, coming back from such a brutal knockout is no easy task. Most fighters would consider hanging up the gloves. But Gaethje has never been like most fighters. His return against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 this past weekend wasn’t just about staying relevant, it was about proving he still belongs among the elite.

Also Read: Does Justin Gaethje Have A Twin Brother?

Gaethje Bounces Back and Sets Sights on Makhachev

Justin Gaethje silenced the doubters with a decisive unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. The rematch played out similarly to their first encounter at UFC 286, with Gaethje overcoming a slow start to dominate the later rounds. His leg kicks and boxing combinations gradually wore down the dangerous Fiziev.

The win immediately thrust Gaethje back into the title picture. He wasted no time setting his sights on champion Islam Makhachev during the UFC 313 post-fight press conference.

“I want to fight for the belt obviously, it’s a much different matchup than I just had. They tried to give me a donut, I took a bit but I gotta get back to running if I’m going to fight Makhachev. I have to get my Jiu-Jitsu coach out here, really it’s just confidence. He’s a tough matchup for anyone, he’s so good, so strong. Going to have to have a perfect night if I want to beat him.”

The honesty in his assessment shows Gaethje knows exactly what he is up against. Makhachev has looked nearly unbeatable since claiming the lightweight crown. He has successfully defending it four times (a record in the division) including a quick finish of Renato Moicano at UFC 311 after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out hours before the fight.

Dana White is asked if Justin Gaethje is on “championship trajectory” with a win over Rafael Fiziev:

“He’s still the #3 ranked guy in the world so, the odds of him getting a title shot are pretty good.” 👀

🎥 @ufc #UFC313 pic.twitter.com/tz4IZqOMU4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 9, 2025

UFC President Dana White seemed to endorse Gaethje’s title aspirations after his performance at UFC 313. If the fight happens, this would mark Gaethje’s third attempt at undisputed UFC gold, having previously fallen short against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. With Ilia Topuria also eyeing a move up to lightweight, the division is heating up once again. But for now, Gaethje has put himself right back where he belongs: in the title conversation!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Islam Makhachev

Justin Gaethje

Rafael Fiziev

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!