Dan Hooker summed it up perfectly when his fight against Justin Gaethje was announced by stating, “I just think the UFC wants to see someone die.” Harsh? Maybe. But when you consider the wars Gaethje and Hooker have been in, it doesn’t sound too far-fetched. Unfortunately, fate had other plans for UFC 313 as ‘The Hangman’ had to withdraw just weeks out from the event because of a broken hand.

With Hooker out, Rafael Fiziev has now stepped up, and the stakes remain just as high. The two fought before, leaving fans on the edge of their seats at UFC 286. Gaethje edged out a decision victory, but Fiziev left a lasting impression. This time, ‘The Highlight’ is prepared for whatever happens once the cage doors lock behind him at the T-Mobile Arena!

Justin Gaethje confesses that he will go to “war” no matter the consequences at UFC 313 

At the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference, Justin Gaethje remained unflinching when an interviewer pointed out that Rafael Fiziev has already come to terms with the brutality of their upcoming clash.

According to the interviewer, “Fiziev goes, ‘God I really do not want to go to the hospital again in Las Vegas but he goes, the way me and Justin fight, we’ll probably go to the hospital.’ So, I’m curious if you have that same mentality?”

Gaethje’s response? With a cheeky jab, he confessed, “I mean, ideally any fight, you know, you get a knockout in the first 10 seconds, that would be ideal. But I don’t plan on going to the hospital.”

But reality rarely works that way. Gaethje knows what he’s in for, but he’s not thinking about hospitals at the moment. His plan? ‘The Highlight’ further shared, “I’m just hoping that I’m alive and I can walk so I can golf with my dad and brother the next day. But I mean, I’m here to go to war, you know, whatever that entails then, so be it.”

Their first meeting at UFC 286 was a brutal dance of destruction. Fiziev came out fast, showcasing his lightning-quick muay thai. But Gaethje, like he always does, adjusted.

He turned the tide with relentless pressure, punishing Fiziev with heavy hands on the counter. By the final bell, ‘Ataman’s face was a mess, and Gaethje had his hand raised. But it was a razor-thin victory, and Fiziev walked away knowing he could do better.

The question now becomes not if they’ll take damage, but who will endure more this time around. Because Rafael Fiziev has also revealed that he wants one particular version of Justin Gaethje to face him inside the cage! 

Rafael Fiziev wants the version of Gaethje that “goes forward” to show up at UFC 313

For Rafael Fiziev, revenge isn’t enough. Their first fight was a blood-soaked battle, but in Fiziev’s eyes, something was missing. What was it? At the pre-fight press conference, the no. 11 ranked UFC lightweight shared, “I like the Justin who goes forward, who makes his house in the Octagon.”

Last time, he felt like Gaethje fought to win instead of fighting to destroy. As such, this time, he confessed, “I waited for that (during) the first fight. I went to the war, but he went for the win. If he goes like that, he makes me more happy.”

It’s a bold challenge. Asking Gaethje to be more aggressive is like asking a wildfire to burn hotter. But Fiziev thrives in chaos, and after 18 months on the sidelines, he’s starving for action. A knee injury had put him out of commission, but he stayed ready, waiting for the call. 

When Dan Hooker dropped out, Fiziev didn’t hesitate because according to him, “… I’m just saying to my manager, ‘Hey, if you have some message from UFC, don’t ask me. I say yes to you for everybody, top-15, top-10, not ranked, debut guy, or somebody.”

Now, he’s got the fight he wanted at UFC 313. But will he get the version of Gaethje he craves? Or will we see ‘The Highlight’ choose the easier path to victory by playing just to win? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!