Justin Gaethje’s rematch against Rafael Fiziev earned him his 14th bonus in 14 bouts pushing the American’s UFC bonuses up to a staggering $950,000.
The 36-year-old won via unanimous decision and gave the crowd another highlight knockdown with a lethal uppercut.
Fiziev stepped in on less than a week’s short notice opponent as Dan Hooker required surgery on his injured hand.
A big gamble considering Fiziev had not fought in 533 days.
He traded heavy blows with Gaethje in their typical brawler fashion but all judges scored the contest 29-28 in Gaethje’s favour.
UFC president Dana White confirmed a bonus of $50,000 to Gaethje and Fiziev.
“Great fight,” said White. “They won 50 grand for Fight of the Night, they stole it away from the first two kids of the night it was looking like they were going to win it.”
And it seems more money will be rolling in for the American as he will be looking for a title shot against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Despite his 13 fights in the promotion he is yet to hold an official title as champion.
He did win the interim belt against Tony Ferguson in arguably the most dominant UFC performance in history, battering and bloodying his opponent till the fight was stopped in the fifth round.
But he failed to unify the belt in October 2020 against Khabib Nurmagomedov who submitted Gaethje in the second round – the undefeated legend’s last ever fight.
Gaethje did have a second shot at the title but was submitted by Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 274.
Every Justin Gaethje bonus
- UFC 313 v Rafael Fiziev – Fight of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC 300 v Max Holloway – Fight of the night (Loss) – $300,000
- UFC 291 v Dustin Poirier – Performance of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC 286 v Rafael Fiziev – Fight of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC 254 v Michael Chandler – Fight of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC 249 v Tony Ferguson – Fight AND Performance of the night (Win) – $100,000
- UFC Fight Night v Donald Cerrone – Performance of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC Fight Night v Edson Barboza – Fight of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC Fight Night v James Vick – Performance of the night (Win) – $50,000
- UFC Fight Night v Dustin Poirier – Fight of the night (Loss) – $50,000
- UFC Fight Night v Eddie Alvarez – Fight of the night (Loss) – $50,000
- UFC Fight Night v Michael Johnson – Fight AND Performance of the night (Win) – $100,000
After the co-main event at UFC 313, Gaethje had nothing but respect for Fiziev, who stepped in to take the fight on short notice.
“He deserves so much credit,” the ex-BMF champion told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview.
“This sport is f***ing crazy. I’m sure my hand is broken, but that’s one tough son of a b****.”
He continued: “I’m third in the world and the most exciting guy that’s stepped in there. It’s up to the UFC.”
However, Gaethje may have to wait as previous featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has moved up a weight class seemingly with the guarantee of fighting Makhachev.
Speaking after the event White did say Gaethje’s chances of a title shot ‘are pretty good’.
