Tag: Justin Gaethje

Overreaction Time: UFC 313 Alex Pereira’s downfall?, Dana White holding back UFC?, more!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” covering Alex Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev, Dana White venturing into boxing, and more.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie Radio host “Gorgeous” George Garcia debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • UFC 313: [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] has only himself to blame for losing to [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag].
  • UFC 313: Alex Pereira will bounce back and win one more UFC championship.
  • No more BS: [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] MUST fight [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag], or his legacy will take a hit.
  • UFC 313: [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] getting the next title shot would be absurd.
  • [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] diving into boxing sucks for boxing.
  • The UFC product will keep suffering with Dana White in charge.

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Ankalaev-Pereira UFC 313 recap, Dana White into boxing world, more

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” we react to Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 title loss, Dana White entering boxing, more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

  • [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] is the new UFC light heavyweight champion. The Dagestani fighter dethroned superstar [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Was the result surprising? Who should be next for Pereira and Ankalaev? We break it all down.
  • Outside the Ankalaev vs. Pereira main event, plenty went down at UFC 313. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] rebounded from his UFC 300 KO loss by outpointing [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]; [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag] had a breakout performance, submitting [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]; and plenty more. We react to some of the key results on the card outside the headlining championship fight.
  • There’s been big news in the boxing world. Last week, TKO Group, along with [autotag]Turki Alalshikh[/autotag] and UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag], announced a partnership to launch a new boxing promotion. Can they change the boxing model? Will they find success? We break it all down.
  • To finish off the show, we’ll do a live Q&A segment in which we’ll discuss the latest in the MMA world. Submit your question in the YouTube live chat during the stream, and we’ll answer the best submissions.

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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Justin Gaethje after UFC 313 win?

Justin Gaethje still has title ambitions after his UFC 313 win. Does he have a path to another shot? We discuss and play matchmaker.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] provided answers at UFC 313 to the questions about the state of his career after he was on the receiving end of arguably the greatest knockout in MMA history.

Nearly 11 months after he was flattened by Max Holloway at the buzzer in an all-time moment at UFC 300, Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) showed that result wasn’t a defining turning point for the worse when he returned to outgun Rafael Fiziev in the Fight of the Night on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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After the victory, Gaethje said he still has ambitions of claiming the undisputed lightweight championship and has eyes on a fight with Islam Makhachev.

Will he get it, though, or are Gaethje’s dreams of a title shot misguided?

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Gaethje’s future after UFC 313.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

Justin Gaethje not interested in Dustin Poirier trilogy, still aims for UFC lightweight title

Justin Gaethje discusses what’s next following his decision win over Rafael Fiziev at Saturday’s UFC 313.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] had his shot at the UFC lightweight title, but that doesn’t mean he’s done pursuing the belt.

Gaethje, who bounced back from his KO loss to Max Holloway this past Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 313, made it clear that he’s still chasing gold. The 36-year-old wants his shot at champion Islam Makhachev. He’s unsure his decision win over Rafael Fiziev will get him there, but it definitely helps his cause.

“I want to fight for the belt, obviously,” Gaethje said at the UFC 313 post-fight press conference when asked what’s next. “That’s a much different matchup than the one I just had. They tried to give me a doughnut. I took a bite, but I’ve got to get back to running if I’m going to fight Makahchev.”

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) doesn’t know what makes sense for him next after UFC 313, but one thing is clear: No trilogy fight against [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag].

“No, I’ve stated many times that I don’t think that either one of our families deserve that,” Gaethje said. “We’re 1-1. I’m OK with it. If he’s OK with it, then no. I think we’re contenders, but if we beat other people. If I beat him, I don’t think either one of us would be considered a contender.”

Gaethje is 3-1 in his past four UFC outings, with two decision wins over Fiziev and a KO win over Poirier – which got him the UFC’s BMF title. His lone loss came to Holloway in the co-main event of UFC 300 last April. It was MMA Junkie’s Knockout of the Year for 2024.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

UFC 313 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Alex Pereira nets $42,000 for entering as champ

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program has now paid out $32.5 million to athletes since its deal began with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 313 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $213,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 313 took place at T-Mobile Arena. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews/Disney+ and ESPN+.

The full UFC 313 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Mauricio Ruffy[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]King Green[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Joshua Van[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Rei Tsuruya[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alex Morono[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mairon Santos[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Ozzy Diaz[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Djorden Santos[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2025 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,572,500
2024 total: $8,280,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $32,590,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

UFC 313 results: Justin Gaethje defeats Rafael Fiziev in rematch thriller

Another Justin Gaethje-Rafael Fiziev fight, another thriller unfolded at UFC 313.

Another [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]-[autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] fight, another thriller.

That’s what played out Saturday night as Gaethje defeated Fiziev in their hastily booked rematch, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 from all three judges. The lightweight bout was the UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) first beat Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) by majority decision in the Fight of the Night in March 2023 at UFC 286. This fight unfolded much like that encounter, with both men throwing and landing heavy punches throughout the 15 minutes.

But it was Gaethje who landed the most significant strike of the fight in the second round when he ducked under a jab and dodged an uppercut before countering with an uppercut of his own that dropped Fiziev to the canvas. It nearly ended the fight, but Fiziev survived.

The third round started in Fiziev’s favor, but Gaethje – who promised a throwback version of himself from his WSOF days heading into UFC 313 – was relentless with volume and power punches that started wearing on his opponent as the round unfolded. It was a strong way for Gaethje to close out the fight, which resonated with the judges.

Gaethje, 36, originally was supposed to fight Dan Hooker, who was forced to withdraw last week after fracturing his hand. Gaethje said before UFC 313 that he hoped to be considered for a third lightweight title shot if victorious.

It remains to be seen Dana White and the UFC brass will grant his wish.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 313 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

‘Still elite’: Fighters react to Justin Gaethje’s rematch win vs. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313

The MMA community reacted to Justin Gaethje’s decision win over Rafael Fiziev in their UFC 313 rematch.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] returned to the win column with force on Saturday against [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] in the UFC 313 co-main event.

After his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) showed he’s still capable of winning at the top level when earned a unanimous decision over Fiziev (12-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the rematch lightweight contenders – Gaethje won the first in March 2023 – at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Gaethje beating Fiziev at UFC 313.

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Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313: Best photos

Justin Gaethje def. Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313: Best photos
Check out the best photos from Justin Gaethje’s unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] at UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Photos by Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA Today Sports; MMA Junkie; UFC)

UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev watch-along live stream with MMA Junkie Radio

Join MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” for a live-streamed watch-along of UFC 313 in Las Vegas.

UFC 313 goes down Saturday night with a championship fight atop the bill, and MMA Junkie Radio’s “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” will host a live-streamed watch-along right here at 8 p.m. ET.

In the main event, [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] will look for his fourth consecutive light heavyweight title defense when he meets [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]. The co-main event features a pivotal lightweight bout and rematch between [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag].

UFC 313 (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Below is the lineup of fights included in the watch-along:

UFC 313 main card (ESPN+ pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
  • Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Jalin Turner
  • Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
  • King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

UFC 313 preliminary card (ESPNews, ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev
  • Rei Tsuruya vs. Joshua Van
  • Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
  • Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.

What time is Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev rematch? Walkouts for UFC 313 co-main event

Here’s when to expect Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev to make their cage walks at UFC 313 in Las Vegas.

It wasn’t the plan, but [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] and [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag] will square off in a rematch. Their lightweight bout scheduled for three rounds will take place Saturday, March 8 at UFC 313 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The fight came together only last week after Gaethje’s original opponent, Dan Hooker, suffered a fractured hand in training.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and Fiziev (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) first met in March 2023 at UFC 286, with Gaethje winning a hard-fought majority decision in the Fight of the Night.

Since then, Gaethje has gone 1-1, first knocking out Dustin Poirier and most recently suffering the Knockout of the Year to Max Holloway last April at UFC 300. Fiziev followed up his loss to Gaethje with a second consecutive injury TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023, and he hasn’t competed since.

When does the UFC 313 fight card start?

The UFC 313 lineup consists of 12 fights. Early prelims start at 6:30 p.m. ET, prelims at 8 p.m. ET, and the pay-per-view main card at 10 p.m. ET.

Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev walkout time

  • As the co-main event, Gaethje and Fiziev are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 11:45 p.m. ET.
  • The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.