Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje battles streaking Azerbaijani Rafael Fiziev on the main card of UFC 286. Now number three ranked in the lightweight division, Justin Gaethje has contested for the lightweight championship twice without success. Seeking to get his championship quest on the road again, the American will attempt to stop number six-ranked Rafael Fiziev, who is riding a six-fight win streak. The fight takes place at the O2 Arena in London on the main card of UFC 286.

Twice the American lightweight has attempted to win the division’s title, and twice he has lost by submission. His most recent setback to winning the lightweight belt was a 2022 loss to Oliveira. Despite knocking down Oliveira twice, Gaethje lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in round one. Rewind to 2020, and the same thing plays out. Gaethje fought in a unification bout for the UFC Lightweight Championship against Khabib Nurmagomedov, losing the fight via technical submission due to a triangle choke in the second round. The 34-year-old debuted in the UFC in 2017 and has won several accolades, including six Fight of the Night and four Performance of the Night bonus awards. A flashy fighter, he won fight of the year in 2017 and 2020. A wrestler all his life, the American competed in High School and College before going professional.

• Age: 34;
• Height: 5’ 11”;
• Reach: 69.5”;
• Record: 23-4

Fiziev debuted in the UFC with a first-round TKO loss to Magomed Mustafaev in 2019. The Muay Thai practitioner and Kickboxxer turned his UFC stint around almost immediately with a win over Alex White a few months later. This set off an incredible run that has since seen the Azerbaijani fighter pick up six consecutive wins, including a win over former UFC lightweight champion Rafael DoS Anjos. He has picked up two Fight of the night and three Performance of the night bonus awards in the run. He has also shot up the rankings, currently number six in the weight class.

• Age: 30;
• Height: 5’ 8”;
• Reach: 71”;
• Record: 12-1

Former lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje is the underdog, priced at 2.87 odds to win on Bet365. Streaking Fiziev is priced at 1.44 odds. On Coinplay, the odds are 3.135 for Gaethje and 1.372 for Fiziev. Betting Yes that the specified round (three) will start is available at 1.97 odds on 1xBet.