As anticipation builds for UFC 313, all eyes are on the electrifying rematch between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev, where Gaethje surprisingly opens as the betting underdog. After a brief setback due to a hand injury that forced him to withdraw from a fight against Dan Hooker, Gaethje is back in action, ready to reclaim his spot at the top of the lightweight division. Their first encounter, a thrilling battle at UFC 286, saw Gaethje emerge victorious by majority decision, yet the odds have flipped, with Fiziev now favored in this highly competitive matchup. With Gaethje’s explosive fighting style and Fiziev’s relentless pressure, fight fans can expect nothing short of fireworks. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the latest betting odds, analyze each fighter’s journey leading up to this pivotal rematch, and offer insights on how you can make informed bets ahead of UFC 313. Get ready to explore the stakes, strategies, and what this fight means for the future of both competitors in the lightweight landscape.
Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev: A Rematch to Remember
As the dust settles on the UFC 313 fight card, all eyes are on the highly anticipated rematch between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Opening as the betting underdog, Gaethje’s odds of +125 reflect the uncertainty surrounding this clash, despite his previous victory over Fiziev by majority decision at UFC 286. The rapid reshuffling of opponents following Dan Hooker’s withdrawal due to a hand injury has added an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Gaethje can replicate his earlier success against a motivated Fiziev, who steps in on short notice with something to prove.
In their first encounter, the stakes were high and the fight lived up to the billing; Gaethje showcased his striking prowess while Fiziev demonstrated his resilience. This time, however, the dynamics have shifted, with Gaethje coming off a tough KO loss to Max Holloway, which saw him lose his BMF belt. Will the former interim champion regain his footing in the lightweight division, or will Fiziev capitalize on Gaethje’s recent struggles? The rematch promises to deliver fireworks and could have significant implications for both fighters’ standings in the UFC lightweight rankings.
UFC 313 Fight Card:
- Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev
- Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
- Iasmin Lucindo vs. Amanda Lemos
- Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
- King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
- Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
- Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos
- Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
- Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos
- Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van
- Chris Gutierrez vs. TBA