Irate Lightweight Contender Eager For Chance at Gold

Justin Gaethje returned to the Octagon late this past winter on the UFC’s third pay-per-view event in Las Vegas. During UFC 313 from T-Mobile Arena, Gaethje battled Rafael Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the co-main event of the evening

“The Highlight” lasted 15 minutes, besting Fiziev by way of unanimous decision to run his record to 26-5 in the sport and 9-5 in the UFC. Fiziev’s defeat to Gaethje was his third in succession. Prior to the March 8 contest, Rafael Fiziev had rattled off six victories in a row.

Given that he had outlasted Fiziev less than three months ago and previously won the interim belt at 155 in 2020, one would assume that a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship would be…