Dan Hooker has withdrawn from one of the most anticipated fights of the year against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 due to injury. Scheduled for March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the lightweight bout promised to be a thrilling encounter between two of the UFC’s fan-favorite strikers. Hooker announced his withdrawal during a video posted on his daughter’s YouTube channel, where he revealed, "Dad had a fight... or was supposed to have a fight, but I’ve busted my paw," showing off what appeared to be a swollen hand.
This unfortunate turn of events has left fans disheartened, diminishing their hopes for what was expected to be a spectacular bout. Hooker, who was entering UFC 313 on a three-fight win streak, had recently claimed he was ready to take on Gaethje and was determined to capitalize on the opportunity. His last three fights included wins over top competitors, including Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner. Meanwhile, Gaethje also sought redemption after his last fight, where he was knocked out by Max Holloway, losing the BMF title.
The ripple effect of Hooker’s injury has led to other fighters expressing their eagerness to take his place. Rafael Fiziev, who fought Gaethje previously, immediately took to Twitter, stating, "Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje." Fiziev and Gaethje had shared the Octagon at UFC 286, where Gaethje won by majority decision. Their fight was intensely contested, with both fighters showcasing their power and resilience. Fans would welcome another matchup, especially with the recent developments.
Another potential contender, Renato Moicano, also threw his hat in the ring, posting on social media: "Justin Gaethje needs a new opponent for UFC 313, you say?" Moicano seemed ready to accept the challenge, offering to take the fight on short notice. Having just come off a loss to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Moicano’s willingness to step back onto the ring so soon demonstrates his passionate commitment to the sport and desire for instant return.
Justin Gaethje, known for his explosive fighting style, remains eager to compete on March 8. With Hooker now out of the picture, the UFC brass has the urgent task of finding him another worthy opponent swiftly. There’s no shortage of intriguing alternatives who could deliver action-packed entertainment as all eyes are on the lightweight division.
One noteworthy possibility includes Ilia Topuria, a quick-rising star who recently transitioned from featherweight to lightweight. Topuria has made bold claims about being the best fighter globally, and facing Gaethje could be the ultimate test to prove his worth. Yet, Topuria’s camp insists he is not interested just for the sake of being active; he’s seeking championship caliber bouts.
Max Holloway, another former champion and Gaethje’s previous opponent, could be pulled back for yet another clash. Memories of their first encounter still linger as fans recall it as one of the most brutal and thrilling battles. Alternatively, Dustin Poirier, who has already faced Gaethje twice, could also contribute to the urgency of filling the matchup void; their rivalry has produced thrilling bouts, keeping fans gripped.
Despite the setback, the fight world remains alive with speculation and excitement as fans await the UFC’s decision on who will take on Justin Gaethje next. UFC President Dana White, always under pressure to keep the fanbase engaged, now has another matchmaking puzzle to solve. The sport thrives on unpredictability, and fans are eager to witness who will seize the chance to face Gaethje.
The co-main event of UFC 313 will still feature light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defending his title against Magomed Ankalaev, promising some action on the card, but the potential matchup of Gaethje and Hooker was the headline-bombshell many were anticipating.
It remains to be seen how the UFC will navigate this situation. With Gaethje known for being relentless and eager to fight, the pressure is on the organization to find him the right opponent to fulfill the fans' expectations for intense competition.