Gaethje-Fiziev to co-headline UFC 286

The UFC has booked a high-profile lightweight bout between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev for UFC 286 on March 18 in London, the promotion announced Saturday.

The fight will serve as the co-main event.

Gaethje is coming off a submission defeat to Charles Oliveira in a title fight last May. "The Highlight" has alternated wins and losses in his last four Octagon appearances, including a Fight of the Year-esque win over Michael Chandler in November 2021.

Fiziev is one of the rising contenders of the 155-pound division. He's riding a six-fight winning streak, most recently finishing former champ Rafael dos Anjos in a UFC Fight Night main event last July.

UFC 286, which will mark the first pay-per-view event in the U.K. since 2016, will be headlined by the third fight between welterweight champion Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.