Despite not being the main event of UFC 313, the planned lightweight scrap between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker may have been the fight that fans were most excited to watch on March 8th in Las Vegas, until Hooker pulled out of the fight, that is.
According to Australian combat sports reporter Benny P, Hooker suffered a broken left hand in training camp, leaving the promotion looking for other options to serve as the co-main event to Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev.
‘Hangman’ is known for his toughness, but with a three-fight winning streak in hand at age 35, the City Kickboxing athlete clearly does not want to risk losing his last chance at a title run by losing while fighting hurt.
Although multiple fighters have offered to step up, it is not known yet if a new opponent will be found, or if the fight will be rebooked for a later card once Hooker is healthy.
Unfortunate news but Per sources Dan Hooker is out of his fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 unknown if Justin Gaethje will get a replacement or if they will rebook it for a later card
— Benny P 🇦🇺 (@Bendaman2001) February 25, 2025
If the original booking is rescheduled, UFC 314 in Miami or UFC 315 in Montreal would be possible options; UFC 314 in particular is already being hailed as one of the most stacked fight cards of the year, headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Yet if recent themes hold, then it may be a short notice replacement who faces Justin Gaethje on the original fight date, March 8th, 2025 at UFC 313 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Renato ‘Money’ Moicano is coming off of a title fight loss where he stepped up on one day of notice to fight lightweight and pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev in his last fight, similar to 2022, when he also came up short against Rafael dos Anjos on a few days’ notice in a featured five-round co-main event at UFC 272.
The Brazilian took to social media to offer his services for the fight in two weeks’ time, as he often does when a high-profile fight cancelation occurs. At least this would give him more time to prepare than those last two instances.
2 weeks is good! I have enough time for 2 or 3 sparring sessions! I will be ready if they call! #ufc
— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) February 25, 2025
Another option came to light when Rafael ‘Ataman’ Fiziev called out ‘The Highlight’ for a rematch of their 2023 ‘Fight of the Year’ contender, which Gaethje won via majority decision, ending Fiziev’s five-fight win streak.
Azerbaijan’s Muay Thai specialist last competed later that year, when he unfortunately tore his ACL in a Fight Night main event against Mateusz Gamrot, marking the first losing streak of his mixed martial arts career.
Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje https://t.co/keha1XhI5r pic.twitter.com/iYVS3JiDm7
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 25, 2025
Gaethje is a tough ask for a return fight after a year and a half away from the octagon; the matchmakers probably had something easier in mind for Rafael’s return fight.
Yet there is no doubt that it would be a thrilling contest, just like the last one, though that can also be said about Moicano vs. Gaethje.
The former interim lightweight champion last competed at UFC 300, when he was stopped by Max Holloway in their BMF title fight with one second remaining, so Justin must be chomping at the bit to get back in there and fight someone, anyone, to wash the bad taste of the last outing away.
No matter who he faces, or when he faces them, fans of combat are in for an action-packed treat whenever Gaethje does enter the cage.
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