UFC recently announced that Rafael Fiziev will be the new opponent for Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Although Gaethje is ready to face his new opponent, he revealed that Fiziev was not his first choice.
In a post on X, Gaethje listed a number of lightweights who were contacted but declined the offer. The names on the list include Arman Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Dustin Poirier. He also mentioned that Renato Moicano, who initially offered to step in as a replacement, also declined the fight after being contacted.
His post received a lot of responses from various fighters, including Poirier. Gaethje faced and defeated Poirier at UFC 291 via headkick and was eager to face the fighter again. However, Gaethje revealed that Poirier refused the offer, while Poirier responded by saying, “I never got a call.” Poirier added, “I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask [UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell]. All respect to you and Fiziev, I’m looking forward to this one again.”
Tsarukyan also said he accepted the fight but would have preferred a catchweight bout, which the UFC did not agree to. Gamrot, who also volunteered for this short-notice bout, was not mentioned by Gaethje. Gamrot took to X to share his thoughts:
“Easier choice stylistically,” Gamrot wrote. “Strikers have always feared wrestlers. I keep in great shape and I’m ready for anyone.”
Gaethje responded: “I was just running back the crazy 48 hours I went through. I wasn’t trying to imply any of you guys would not fight me. Arman was too heavy, same with Charles. UFC obviously has plans for you at a later date, so they said that’s a no-go.”
UFC 313 will be headlined by Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev, with the Gaethje-Fiziev fight serving as the co-main event.
