London, U.K. – Possibly the most exciting fight on UFC 286 is a lightweight clash between two explosive fighters in Rafael Fiziev and Justin Gaethje, but the former believes that his opponent must wrestle him in order to win on Saturday night.
“He have to use it with me for sure,” Fiziev told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“I think his wrestling is good for sure. He just don’t, like, show it. He likes stand up fights. He likes striking more, but I’m more than sure he have good wrestling. Good wrestling skills and he can show good level.”
Fiziev said that Gaethje has to use his wrestling against him to negate his striking technique.
“I think he have to. He have to do it, and if he do it it’s more than good for me.”
Simple and to the point Fiziev knows that Gaethje’s wrestling will be key for the former lightweight interim champion to win at UFC 286.
With both men having shown that they’re very durable it’s possible that we get a 15-minute war in the co-main event on Saturday night.
“Also very hard to say. I have strong head and he have no strong head. We’ll see (if it goes all 3 rounds),” Fiziev said.
With a win over a former interim champion, Fiziev sees only a path to the title and Islam Makhachev.
“If I (beat) him I deserve that title shot, but UFC also make it how they want,” he said.
“If they give title shot (to the) winner (of) (Charles) Oliveira and (Beneil) Dariush then ok. Dariush, I think he deserve it more than anyone in this division.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Rafael Fiziev above. He takes on Justin Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 286 on Saturday night at The O2 Arena.
