Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev – Preview & Matchup Analysis

UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023, in London, England. In one of the matchups on the fight card, Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje will take on Rafael ‘Ataman’ Fiziev in the Lightweight Bout. You can view the full UFC 286 card.

In this post, we will break down Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev matchup. Let’s take look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats, and more below ⤵

The 35-year-old, Justin Gaethje is coming in with a 23-4-0 record. Gaethje will be fighting for the first time since a loss via submission against Charles Oliveira at UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje in May.

Fiziev, meanwhile, is coming off a KO/TKO win against Rafael Dos Anjos on May 7, 2022 at UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev and holds a 12-1-0 record.

Justin Gaethje has an orthodox fighting stance with a 70 reach. The 31-year-old, Rafael Fiziev is an switch fighter with a 71 reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand, the southpaw fighter is the opposite, southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed, if you are left-handed, then you fight southpaw.

Justin Gaethje:
→ Gaethje’s striking accuracy is .
→ Gaethje lands 7.46 significant strikes per minute.
→ Gaethje’s takedown accuracy is .
→ Gaethje’s takedown average is 0 per 15 minutes.
→ Gaethje’s takedown defense is .

Gaethje comes in with striking accuracy, typically landing about 7.46 significant strikes every minute. On the other side, Fiziev fires at accuracy, landing about 4.81 significant strikes per minute. Justin Gaethje also has a takedown accuracy and on average gets around 0 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Fiziev’s 0.36 takedowns and takedown accuracy.

Rafael Fiziev:
→ Fiziev’s striking accuracy is .
→ Fiziev lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute.
→ Fiziev’s takedown accuracy is .
→ Fiziev’s takedown average is 0.36 per 15 minutes.
→ Fiziev’s takedown defense is .

Rafael spent on average minutes in the Octagon and Justin has an average fight time of minutes.

This looks like an fun matchup, at least on paper. UFC 286 is live in , who do you think will win, Justin or Rafael? Sound off in the comments.

You can view the scheduled UFC 286 fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2021, and latest MMA news.