Dan Hooker Withdraws From His Fight Against Justin Gaethje At UFC 313 Due To Injury

UFC 313 just lost an exciting co-main event.

Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker were scheduled to fight in two weeks. Fans have been clamoring for the former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion and Hooker to clash on March 8, but the latter just withdrew from the upcoming bout due to a hand injury.

“Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight, but I’ve busted my paw,” Hooker said.

That means Gaethje has no opponent for UFC 313. However, applicants are quickly flying in for the 36-year-old as a previous opponent, Rafael Fiziev, stepped up. The pair fought at UFC 286, with Gaethje getting the win. 

Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje https://t.co/keha1XhI5r pic.twitter.com/iYVS3JiDm7

— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 25, 2025

Another previous opponent, Mateusz Gamrot, also wants to redeem himself after losing to Hooker. Though he’s never fought Gaethje, getting the opportunity to beat the man that Hooker was supposed to face is a big one for the lightweight. 

My fight with Hooker was very close and he got lucky with the judges. Time to fix it and prove it !! @Justin_Gaethje @ufc @espn @MMAJunkie

— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) February 25, 2025

Renato Moicano is also another fighter who tossed his hand into the mix. Him and Gaethje don’t particularly have a history, but Moicano is known for stepping into fights at the last minute. 

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

Moicano would surely like to erase losing the UFC Lightweight Championship bout against Islam Makhachev last month at UFC 311. Given the three choices, Moicano is the most appealing since he was the last challenger for the lightweight belt. Of course, this all depends on Dana White and Justin Gaethje. Both men have yet to address Hooker’s withdrawal, though with UFC 313 just two weeks away, we’ll surely get the answer soon. 

Though it sucks that Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje is off the card, UFC 313 still looks good on paper with Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev headlining. Check out the updated line-up below:

UFC 313 Main Event on ESPN+ PPV:

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev

UFC 313 Main Card on ESPN+ PPV (10 p.m. ET):

Justin Gaethje vs. ???
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Jalin Turner
Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

UFC 313 Prelims Card on ESPNN/ESPN+ (8 p.m. ET):

Joshua Van vs. Rei Tsuruya
Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos
Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

UFC 313 Early Prelims Card on ESPN+ (6 p.m. ET):

Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
Chris Gutierrez vs. TBA
Djorden Santos vs. Ozzy Diaz