MMA
Q&A: Rafael Fiziev on facing Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 and why he’s a better replacement than Moicano
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Rafael Fiziev is ready to save the UFC 313 card and get his revenge against Justin Gaethje. The 31-year-old spoke to DAZN News following Dan Hooker's withdrawal from his scheduled fight against Gaethje, talking about his preparation and why he would be more a legitimate opponent than Renato Moicano, who has also put himself forward for the March event.
DAZN News: Hooker is against Gaethje and you challenged him on X. Do you really want this fight?
Rafael Fiziev: Yeah, this morning, my manager called me and told me this beautiful news about the short-notice fight. Of course, I said yes, because if I see the perfect battle, I cannot say no. I wish Hooker a speedy recovery. But this fight against Gaethje really surprises me. I wish so much he can say yes, too, for me.
DN: You fought him two years ago and lost by majority decision. Are you looking for revenge?
RF: Yes, I'm looking very much forward to it. Many people tell me like, oh, maybe you need to fight against Justin again. But I always say, why don't I deserve that? Because we are in different places right now. I'm far behind him. But if we see right now, who can make weight in 10 days in this division? I'm not a big guy. I'm trying to be in shape because nobody wants to fight me. I'm really staying in shape. I'm trying to get ready for short notice since September. I'm getting myself ready to go fight on short notice with anybody who wants to fight because I've been looking to fight for how many months? Nobody. I really, really, really wish he says yes to me because I think nobody can fight him right now.
DN: What makes you believe that you can win this time? What will be different for you?
RF: Like last time. Like I was saying before, too, I have more skills than he has. My striking is on another level. Not the same as his level. Yes, he's a very dangerous fighter. He has a lot of experience and a very big heart, and I respect him a lot. I remember this humble fight. It was a very good, humble fight. I ate that good. But right now, like before, I believe my striking is better. If I fight him smart, using my IQ, using my brain, I can play with him.
DN: If you beat Gaethje, who is next?
RF: It doesn't matter who is next. If I win against him, this is a surprise for everybody. Because I think right now people don't believe in my power and don't believe in me. But if I shock the world, this is a very good position after this.
DN: How many fights can we expect from you this year?
RF: Honestly, I always want to fight every three or four months. But I always can’t do that because of injuries, nobody wants to fight. I wish to fight every four months.
DN: Gaethje vs. Hooker was expected to be a war. Your first fight against Gaethje was a war. Can we expect the same if you take on Gaethje again?
RF: Of course. This is fireworks. Non-stop. Non-stop fireworks, non-stop action. The first fight is maybe the first fight, it's not like if we do it a second time. For sure, I believe if we fight a second time, there's more fireworks, more show. Because we know each other and we've been together in a cage, we know each other a little bit right now. I think it's a more interesting fight.
DN: It's been a year-and-a-half since your last fight. What was the problem? How are you feeling?
RF: I'm feeling good. My knee is almost 100% good. My health is good. Like I said, I've been in camp since September. I'm staying in shape. I'm controlling my weight. I want to fight with anybody. I'm staying in shape. I really feel like maybe somebody will pull out and I can go fight on short notice. Right now, it's happening.
DN: You are ready for any fight?
RF: Yes, any fight. It's not only Justin. If somebody pulls out, not in this fight, like low rankings, all that, something. For me, it's not important. I just want to fight. Five, six months, I want to fight, just want to fight.
DN: Short notice is always difficult. How was the training camp going?
RF: Short notice? Yes. It's not easy. This is a very big risk. It's a very big risk, but I love this risk. We are fighters. I was born with this. I've been fighting since I was 10 years old. Every month, every two months, every week, sometimes. This is my life. If I can't fight with somebody tomorrow, I can't call myself a fighter today. I have to be ready to fight anybody right now. This is how I live. For me, 10 days, this is enough time. I'm really feeling good. Short notice, this is not really perfect, but I believe in my skills and I believe in everything I have in my hands.
DN: Moicano wants this fight, too. He asked for it on X after you. Why should it be you and not him?
RF: Because Moicano tapped against Islam [Makhachev, at UFC 311] very fast. If he didn't tap, honestly, when Moicano fought against Islam, I wanted Moicano to win because I like how he's funny, how he does his podcast, how he's talking, how he says, "My car, I wanted money," all of this stuff. I like how he does this stuff. I was on his side when he fought. When he tapped very fast, I was very angry at him because like, "Bro, come on, bro." Yeah, I know this is fights. Everything happens in fights. But because he tapped in this fight so fast, me.
DN: Your last fight, two losses, what went wrong? What was the problem for you?
RF: Fight is fight, I lost this fight. He won. He did good. But when I fought against Gaethje, I lost to myself first because I didn’t listen to my corner. I didn't follow my game plan. That's why I had these problems in round three. Second fight against [Mateusz] Gamrot, I was in perfect condition. I was feeling 120% good. I'm still cold. My game plan worked. I followed my game plan. Everything was perfect, and I hurt my knee. I can't do anything about that.
DN: You are in the lightweight division. Paddy Pimblett against Michael Chandler is happening. What is your prediction?
RF: Prediction? I don't like predictions in MMA because this is MMA. But this fight, I think Chandler. I think Chandler. Very big experience, very big power. And stylistically, the style, I think, for Paddy is not too good.
DN: If you fight at UFC 313, the main event is going to be Alex 'Poatan' Periera vs. Magomed Ankalaev. Who's gonna win?
RF: Poatan, he's a legend, man. He's a legend. He has a very strong punch. But Ankalaev, he's also very good. Very good on the ground, very good in striking also. It's a crazy fight. I think 50-50. For me, it's 50-50 because this is a big weight class, big guys, very heavy punches, very heavy kicks. I think 50-50. I cannot say something for somebody.
