sport news Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev in co-main event of UFC 286 in London could ... trends now
There are some fighters who command attention from the first second of a bout to the last and Justin Gaethje is top of that list.
'The Highlight' is just about the most apt nickname imaginable for the all-action American, who will take centre stage in the co-main event of UFC London this Saturday night.
If you're watching at home, you won't be getting up from the sofa for that extra beer, in the arena, nobody will be timing their toilet break for this one.
Gaethje has been dubbed 'the most violent man in the UFC' and it's a moniker he doesn't shy away from.
His relentlessness, downright refusal to lose a battle of wills, incredible gas tank and propensity to take a few too many shots make for must-see fights.
Justin Gaethje (left) is renowned for being in thrilling fights and his epic 2021 battle with Michael Chandler (right) was one of the most talked about in UFC history
Rafael Fiziev will fight Gaethje at UFC London this Saturday night in the co-main event
Most of the time, fighters need a dance partner and someone willing to put on a show with them.
But whoever Gaethje fights knows they're in for a wild ride. That said, in Rafael Fiziev he has a perfect partner in crime.
In many ways, they're cut from the same cloth in terms of mentality.
The dangerous striker from Azerbaijan outlined his gruesome intentions in the first episode of UFC embedded, saying: 'I'm ready, I'm ready like never [before].
'This is fireworks, this is like his nickname, "Highlight." He has a big career, he's a very famous guy.
'I can't wait to go and see him in the cage, smell blood, smell his heart, and eat his heart after.'
He also told Submission Radio: 'He has a] very good style… he fights with heart and everybody who fights with heart has a big plus and big minus.
Gaethje (left) and Chandler (right) were reunited in hospital after their brutal fight
The American churns out performance bonuses like nobody else in the promotion
'Big minus because he fights only with heart. Big plus, you can't break him because he fights with his heart.
'It's very hard to break his mind, break his heart but if you have a good IQ… you can beat him.
'I want to play with him… I want to show him [a] masterpiece, the real highlight. I want to show him.'
Fiziev is 13-1 and has only lost one of his seven fights in the UFC. Three of his last four wins have been by stoppage, including one spectacular spinning wheel kick.
Those who work with him know just what a threat he is in this lightweight division, with Mo Mokaev, who also trains in Thailand at Tiger Muay Thai, telling Sportsmail: 'I think it will be Fiziev by finish.
