Dan Hooker has officially pulled out of his highly anticipated lightweight clash against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, set to take place on March 8, 2025, due to a hand injury.
Hooker’s Injury Announcement
Hooker (24-12) revealed his withdrawal in a YouTube video featuring his daughter. The UFC has yet to release an official statement regarding Hooker’s status or whether Justin Gaethje (25-5) will remain on the card.
New Opponent for Gaethje: Rafael Fiziev Steps Up
With Hooker out, Rafael Fiziev has stepped in as a replacement. Fiziev and Gaethje last fought in March 2023, where Gaethje secured a majority decision victory. The rematch promises to be an exciting addition to UFC 313, which will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
UFC 313: Main Event & Lightweight Contenders
The event features a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev as the main event.
Meanwhile, Gaethje was originally slated to fight for the first time since suffering a devastating knockout loss. He was a top lightweight contender in early 2024 but opted to take a high-profile “BMF” fight against Max Holloway at UFC 300, where he was knocked out in the final seconds of the five-round bout.
Current UFC Lightweight Rankings
Gaethje is currently ranked third in the lightweight division, behind:
- Arman Tsarukyan
- Charles Oliveira
- Islam Makhachev (Champion)
Makhachev has yet to schedule his next title defense, but reports suggest he will likely return in the summer of 2025.
What’s Next for Gaethje and Hooker?
With Gaethje now facing Fiziev, a victory could put him back in title contention. On the other hand, Hooker will focus on recovery, with hopes of making a comeback later this year.
Key Takeaways:
- Dan Hooker pulls out of UFC 313 due to a hand injury.
- Rafael Fiziev steps in to replace Hooker against Justin Gaethje.
- Gaethje lost his last fight against Max Holloway by a last-second knockout.
- The event is headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev.
- Islam Makhachev is expected to defend his lightweight title this summer.
Stay tuned for more updates on UFC 313 and the evolving lightweight division.
