Justin Gaethje once again proved why he is one of the most relentless warriors in the UFC, securing a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. The lightweight clash was everything fans expected—an all-out battle filled with brutal exchanges, high-paced action, and moments of sheer grit. With this victory ‘The Highlight’ has returned to winning ways and has kept his hopes of winning a title alive. Fiziev started strong, using his speed and precision striking to land sharp combinations. His kicks and counters posed an early challenge for Gaethje, but as the fight progressed, “The Highlight” adjusted and turned the tide in his favor.
True to his reputation, Gaethje absorbed the punishment and fired back with even greater intensity. His relentless pressure, heavy leg kicks, and signature power shots began wearing Fiziev down. By the final round, Gaethje was in full control, landing crisp boxing combinations and punishing Fiziev with devastating uppercuts and hooks. The two warriors continued to trade until the final bell, leaving the crowd on their feet in appreciation of their incredible performance.
When the judges’ scorecards were read, all three awarded the fight to Gaethje, sealing another memorable victory in his already legendary career. But it seems there might be some serious injury concerns for the #3 ranked lightweight in the world. During the post-fight interview, Gathje said, “This sport is so f—king crazy. I’m pretty sure my hand’s broken. That’s one tough son of a b—-h”. Sherdog took to their X account to share the news with the fans and tweeted the same. It seems all those ruthless punches have taken a toll on the former BMF title holder.
Gaethje: This sport is so f—king crazy. I’m pretty sure my hand’s broken. That’s one tough son of a b—-h. #UFC313
— Sherdog (@sherdogdotcom) March 9, 2025
But Gaethje’s victory wasn’t just about redemption—it sent shockwaves through the lightweight division. His dominant performance caught the attention of a former champion, who wasted no time in making a callout. And that challenge could shake things up in a way that might not sit well with Charles Oliveira! Former UFC dual champion Henry Cejudo now wants to see him fight Islam Makhachev next in his career.
Justin Gaethje’s UFC 313 performance makes him a favorite for the title shot
Justin Gaethje has never been one to back down from a challenge, and now, he has his sights set on the biggest prize in the lightweight division—a fight with reigning champion Islam Makhachev. After securing another thrilling victory, Gaethje will now be eyeing a fight with the lightweight kingpin. Gaethje also believes he’s the man to dethrone Makhachev. Before the fight, Gaethje made it clear that he wanted to deliver a breathtaking performance and catch the attention of the UFC CEO Dana White for a fight with the champion. It seems he has now made a statement with his performance and Henry Cejudo definitely feels he has done that.
Henry Cejudo sent rumbles in the MMA world where he commented, “Makhachev vs Gaethje is the title fight to make for International Fight Week!” . Known for his relentless pressure, knockout power, and iron will, Gaethje presents a unique challenge to the champion. While Makhachev’s grappling-heavy style has overwhelmed most of his opponents, Gaethje’s elite wrestling background and devastating striking make him a dangerous threat. With Makhachev continuing his reign of dominance, a showdown with Gaethje would be one of the most exciting matchups in the division. If the fight is made, fans can expect nothing less than an all-out battle between two of the best lightweights in the world.
Do you think the fight between the two will happen next in the division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Justin Gaethje Injury: Broken Hand Confirmed as LW Star Breaks Silence After UFC 313 Win Against Rafael Fiziev appeared first on EssentiallySports.
