Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Chiesa Details Why Justin Gaethje's Successful Approach Against Rafael Fiziev Won't Work At UFC 291

Originally posted on MMA News | Last updated 7/26/23

Michael Chiesa was impressed by the jab that Justin Gaethje used in his win over Rafael Fiziev, but "Maverick" doesn't expect that weapon to be available when Gaethje meets Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.

“The Highlight” is arguably the most exciting fighter in the history of MMA, but in recent years, Gaethje has adopted a bit more of a measured approach to his bouts while still managing to provide plenty of action for fans.

The 34-year-old has challenged for the UFC’s lightweight title twice and came up short both times. However, his last performance against Fiziev at UFC 286 kept him at #3 in the division’s rankings and has many fans excited about the prospect of Gaethje once again fighting for UFC gold.

Michael Chiesa Breaks Down Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier

Gaethje is set to face Poirier for the second time in the main event of UFC 291 with the promotion’s BMF title on the line, and Chiesa thinks “The Highlight” will need to be prepared with a different game plan than the one he used to best Fiziev in his last fight.

“These guys are gonna meet in the middle of the Octagon, I don’t think either guy is gonna take a backwards step and they’re gonna fight,” Chiesa told Daniel Cormier and Ryan Clark. “I think the big 'X' factor on the side of Justin Gaethje is, can he stay within himself like he did against Rafael Fiziev? Can he fight a more technical fight? Every fight he’s gonna be in is going to be exciting, even if he stays smart and fights technically. The only problem is, that jab that he used against Fiziev won’t be in play because Dustin’s a southpaw. So he’s going to have to lead with the right hand a little bit more.”

Many fans were surprised to see Fiziev close as a favorite before he met Gaethje at UFC 286, and “The Highlight” is currently trending as a slight underdog again heading into UFC 291.

Gaethje and Poirier already met once before in 2018 and put on a Fight of the Night performance. “The Diamond” ultimately prevailed with a fourth-round stoppage, but both men have made significant improvements in the years since that first matchup.

The winner of the UFC 291 main event will walk away as the second BMF champion in UFC history, but both Gaethje and Poirier are likely more invested in the prospect of earning a shot at the winner of the upcoming lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira that will headline UFC 294.

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