UFC 286 Countdown previews the co-main event matchup between knockout artists Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev as they …
>> Narrator: As former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman, prepares to face title holder, Leon Edwards on March 18th, he makes time for mental breaks from the grind of training camp, which in Denver, Colorado, take place with his friend and teammate, Justin Gaethje. [instrumental music intensifies] [bowling pins clang] >> We’re down here at the Hanger 101 Bar and Grill. Good to bring Kamaru and some of my teammates, couple of my coaches down here and try to take their money. We’re playing five frames, fifty bucks! >> Justin loves to gamble. [bowling pins clang] He wanted to see who is a better bowler. I told him I bowled in college. I took the class. He didn’t want to believe me, so we’re here so I can show him up. [music continues] [Gaethje shouts indistinctly] [bowling pins clang] >> Usman: No! >> Gaethje: Money! [pins clang] >> These aren’t league regulation balls, Justin! See, that’s why he brought us here. [rhythmic music] >> Trainer: We’re just going to drill today. We’re going to pick up the intensity as we go. >> Being around Kamaru, being so similar in our beliefs, in our virtues and our values– reminds me of wrestling as a kid. [body slams to the ground] [crowd cheering] Individual sport, but knowing that you need to inspire your teammates to perform and ultimately winning for them, you know it’s something that’s very similar in this situation. >> Narrator: Like Usman, former interim lightweight champ, Justin Gaethje, is preparing to fight on March 18th, where he will compete in the UFC 286 co-main event, before Usman makes the walk for the night’s headliner. >> Trainer: Create that muscle memory. >> Narrator: An experience the pair has shared before. >> Being on the same card is always a benefit. >> Man: Justin Gaethje, obviously there is a big grudge match for your teammate in the main event. >> Having both guys go through that process, the fear of knowing that you’re fighting in four days, three days, two days–there’s definitely a huge benefit from a mindset aspect. [crowd and group exclaiming] >> Wow! [group continues to exclaim] >> Rogan: Trevor Wittman, 3-0 tonight. Hats off to that wizard, because he is an amazing coach. >> I’m looking forward to going out there and having a great night with both guys. [crowd cheering] [dramatic instrumental music] >> Cormier: This dude is tremendous. He is all action. >> Narrator: Head coach, Trevor Wittman, has guided numerous UFC champions… >> Buffer: Interim… >> Rogan: He is one of the most ferocious guys in the sport. >> Buffer: lightweight champion! >> Rogan: He throws himself into the fire! >> Narrator: …but none quite like Justin Gaethje… >> Felder: Holy smoke! >> Let’s go! >> Narrator: …who’s mostly aptly known as The Highlight. >> Rogan: Justin hurt him! >> Anik: Whoa! >> Cormier: Justin Gaethje is a ball of fire. >> I’m the most exciting fighter that’s ever stepped in that cage. >> Fitzgerald: Big right from Gaethje! >> Felder: What a knockout! >> Cruz: Oh, he’s got him! >> Cormier: Justin Gaethje is fearless! When you let him go, he just destroys everything in his path! >> Anik: Knocks Edson Barboza out cold! >> I pride myself in giving every person in attendance their money’s worth. >> Anik: Have you ever seen anything like Justin Gaethje! >> Gaethje: That’s what I do, it’s who I am. >> Cormier: [groans] Oh, man! >> Rogan: He’s a real freak. >> Gaethje: Nine bonuses in my first seven fights. >> Cormier: Oh, my goodness! >> That will never be touched. >> Anik: Never been part of a boring fight in his entire life! >> Gaethje: I think it’s because of my effort. Humans recognize effort and I’ve said that since day one and I give max effort. >> Narrator: Gaethje’s return to action will come at UFC 286 in London, England, against lightweight rising star, Rafael Fiziev; a likeminded finisher from the heart of Asia. [birds chirping] >> Fiziev: I’m born in Kazakhstan. I grow up in a village and I helped my father shepherd the cows and bulls. We move from the village to big city, to capital city in Kyrgyzstan. First day when I come into school, some of my classmates, they beat me. After one week I started to train Thai boxing, because somebody beat me. I want to give him back. >> Commentator: Fiziev in the black, [indistinct] in the white with black trim. >> Commentator #2: Fiziev throwing big shots! The uppercut there! Very dangerous! >> Fiziev: My first Kyrgyzstan championship, just after two months when I start training and I take second place, silver medal. >> Commentator: Big punches from the man from Kyrgyzstan. >> Fiziev: 2007 world championship, first place. 2009 world championship, second place. >> Commentator #3: Out goes the left hand. >> Commentator #4: Vicious, vicious power there from Fiziev. >> 2011 world championship, first place. >> Commentator #5: Skills of Fiziev are just unbelievable. This guy is so slippery. >> And I think like, “I want to start my professional career.” >> Commentator #5: Still slinging leather to the last bell. >> Fiziev: And then I go to Thailand. Thailand is very easy going, very easy to make visa to Thailand. No need a lot of money and I know they have good gyms, good fighters. [men grunting] [kicks smacking pads] It’s perfect. >> Commentator #6: Fiziev is making his UFC debut. He’s a strong guy, explosive striking, good grappling to match. >> Narrator: Following hundreds of Muay Thai bouts across Europe and Asia, Fiziev would transition to MMA. >> Commentator #7: He is one of several debuting fighters on our card. >> Gooden: Fiziev has over 200 amateur Muay Thai fights. He’s a multiple national and international Muay Thai champion. Add to that, some combat Sambo as well. >> Felder: For being a Muay Thai guy, his hand are sharp. He throws power in every punch that he lands. >> Narrator: Transferring knockout power in the ring… >> Gooden: He is 6-0 professionally. >> Felder: This is a big prospect that we’re going to be watching here tonight. >> Narrator: …to electrifying performances in the Octagon. >> Hardy: [groans] Oh! >> Gooden: Massive hands there from Fiziev! Oh, he is airborne when he’s throwing those knees as well. >> Bisping: The sky really is the ceiling. I see this man as a future contender, really quickly. Oh! Look at that. >> Gooden: Oh, there it is. It’s Neo from The Matrix again. [commentators groaning] >> Felder: It’s a gunshot when he hits that bodyshot. >> Bisping: Fiziev is for real. >> In the UFC, my focus is on the belt. >> Rogan: I mean come on. >> Cruz: This guy is nasty! >> Rogan: Whoo! >> But I want when people watch my fights, they really enjoy it. >> Gooden: Fiziev is having fun in there tonight. [Rogan laughing] >> Anik: Oh! >> Ref: Stop! Stop! Stop! >> Anik: Rafael Fiziev! >> Ref: Stop! >> I can fight aggressive, going forward, forward, forward. >> Cormier: He speaks the language of violence, which is universal. My goodness. >> Anik: Oh! >> Cruz: Got him there! >> Anik: Big right hand! >> And make fireworks, you know? Go crazy. [crowd exclaims] >> Cormier: Oh! >> Anik: Rafael Fiziev finishes Brad Riddell! >> Fiziev: But I’m happy for this fight against Justin because, I don’t worry about bonuses now. >> Rogan: He hurt him. [commentators]: Oh! >> Rogan: Oh, [chuckles] my gosh! >> Cormier: He’s so fun. He’s so physical. He’s so gifted. >> Rogan: It’s controlled chaos. >> I know Justin wants bonuses also. He likes the bonuses. >> Rogan: It’s one of the reasons why he’s one of the most loved fighters in the sport. >> And for sure we’re coming for this. [crowd exclaims] >> Fitzgerald: Oh! Big left sits him down! And that’s it! Rafael Fiziev moving on up in the top ten! >> You have to see that. Can’t blink. [fire crackling] >> Bisping: This will deliver, I guarantee. [light instrumental music] [motorbike revving] >> Narrator: Kyrgyzstan born, UFC lightweight, Rafael Fiziev, appreciates a comfortable life with his family in Phuket, Thailand… [child and woman speaking]: [Fiziev speaking in foreign language] >> Narrator: …brought on by dedication to his craft and the early teachings of his father. >> Fiziev: This funny story about my father. He work in the city. [woman speaking in foreign language] When he come back, he call all cousins, all brothers to fight boxing. [Fiziev speaking in foreign language] [Fiziev’s father speaking in foreign language] And he gives first place, 500. Second place, 200. Third place like 100. And we fight for this money. If I win this fight against Justin, he has this sheep and give them meat for poor people. [Salman speaking in foreign language over FaceTime Now he comes and says, “Hey, you know this bonus? Save me this, that’s it.” [chuckles] He don’t ask why, what? [cup clinks] Nah. [child excitedly yells] My wife and my kids, they spend my money and when they spend my money, I have to go to gym and I train hard for making money more. >> Some people say, “You’re not scared.” I say, “Yes, it’s scary, but Rafael work.” >> This motivate me. She understands. She has to spend money and she understand how we make this money. And this has helped me in my career also. [chuckles] [Kamilla laughs] >> Narrator: Financial incentives has always been top of mind for Fiziev, especially during his earliest days in Thailand, when injury prevented the aspiring fighter from earning a living. >> Fiziev: I broke my hand in a fight and I’m very sad, because no money, I need a fight. I need to make money. [scooter passes by] My friend, Sayat, my manager–he work in Tiger Muay Thai and he tell me like, “Hey, if you want job, you can come to Tiger.” [indistinct speaking in distance] [strikes smacking pads in distance] >> Five years ago there was an opening for the kickboxing coach position here in Tiger Muay Thai and Rafael was perfect for it with his experience, with his knowledge. [uptempo music] So it was a perfect match for Tiger and for Rafael. One thing that we have in Tiger is a lot of high level pro fighters, so there is no shortage of good training partners who can imitate Justin. >> Tiger Muay Thai, if you need a wrestler, you’ll find it. If you need a boxer, you’ll find it. If you need a guy like Justin, we have 20 people here. >> Narrator: A March 18th showdown with former interim champion, Justin Gaethje… >> Buffer: …”The Highlight”… >> Narrator: …looms large for Rafael Fiziev… >> Buffer: ….Gaethje! >> Narrator: …and the established Tiger Muay Thai product… [bell rapidly dings] >> Narrator: …is ready to seize his moment. >> I’m better than Gaethje everywhere. Striking… Justin, I appreciate you. I will fight with you. On the ground. But don’t forget not only striking, bro. Sometimes wrestling too, brother. Yeah? Yeah, don’t forget though. [claps hands] [electronic music playing] I’m better than everybody in this division. I win, he lose. That’s it. [rhythmic percussive music] [bell chimes] [ominous instrumental music] >> Narrator: A prize fighter finds motivation in many things, [birds’ wings flapping] but the greatest purpose for most… [flag flapping in wind] …is to one day own an undisputed UFC championship belt. For Justin Gaethje, being so close to realizing that dream is what keeps him coming back. >> Trainer: All right. Three jumps. >> Gaethje: I fought for the title, three out of my last four fights. >> Trainer: Boom. >> Cormier: You can not being reckless with a guy that has dynamite in his hands like Gaethje. >> Anik: Oh, nice bodyshot and a left hook up top from Gaethje! >> Cormier: Oh, beautiful takedown by Nurmagomedov. He gets the back. >> Anik: Wow! Unbelievable! Just too good, man. Too good. >> Rogan: Oh, my goodness. >> Anik: Oh, an uppercut now for Gaethje, knocks Oliveira down! [commentators exclaim]: Oh! >> Cormier: This cat right here is a savage! >> Anik: Heart. He believes he has heart. He believes he has always had it. >> Rogan: Here’s the real question…”What’s next?” >> And when you lose a title fight, you know you usually need to win two or three to fight for the championship. >> Anik: He is leaner, he is stronger. He is more focused than ever before. >> Trainer: So stick your chest out here on this side. >> Cormier: And now when they hear Justin Gaethje’s fighting, they will tune in. >> Gaethje: For me, anymore two exciting wins like I always give… [weights clank] …I’m exciting as hell, so why not? >> Cormier: People love a fight. I get it–he wants to go out on his shield, but the reason he lost was because he was having way too much fun. >> Gaethje: Ultimately going into a fight, trying to avoid their strongest asset, is not when I perform the best. >> Wittman: Everything you got in every punch. It was just about excitement and fighting for the people. Good. Now it’s about him. It’s about being focused and winning rounds. He’s got to be dead focused, because that’s the key to being the best in the world. Go! Good. Go! [Gaethje grunting] Go! One more. Go! [Gaethje grunting] Wonderful. That last turnover was really nice too. These shots, they are like people should see coming for a day and you still landed. They get a text message, they’ll be like, “Oh, the right hand’s coming.” >> Narrator: The road to another title shot now goes through the latest lightweight sensation, on March 18th and Gaethje aims to fight fire with fire, against Rafael Fiziev. >> These guys are young and hungry and that’s a dangerous combination. I need to punch him in at the face a lot. Keep him from taking me down. Got to go out there, be perfect. Be athletic, be agile, hostile, and [bleep] him up. >> Fiziev: Justin, he’s tough. This is a challenge and I like challenges, but stay in front of me is too dangerous for him. >> Fitzgerald: Oh! >> Bisping: Oh, big left! >> Fitzgerald: Rafael Fiziev moving on up! >> Narrator: The lightweight belt is within reach for both men, in the co-main event at UFC 286, where knockout artists set the stage in London, England… [monorail roars by] …for the highly anticipated rubber match… >> Anik: The build-up to this third meeting, between these two, as Kamaru Usman rebuilds. >> Rogan: It’s going to be the biggest fight ever. >> Narrator: …between homegrown welterweight champ, Leon Edwards… >> Lovell: Come on, Leon! You got to pull this [bleep] out of the fire! >> Anik: No way! [man’s hands pounding canvas] And…new! >> Narrator: …and former king, Kamaru Usman. >> Look at me now! Pound-for-pound! Headshot! Dead! >> Rogan: Leon Edwards just shook the world! >> Narrator: It all goes down at the O2, on March 18th. >> Anik: What a sport, what a moment. [crowd cheering then fades away]