UFC 313 apparently has lost its banger of a lightweight co-main event.
Dan Hooker said he is out of his five-round fight against Justin Gaethje on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) due to a hand injury. The injury was first revealed when Hooker mentioned it in a video posted to his daughter’s YouTube channel, “Zoe Hooker TV,” on Tuesday.
“Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight,” Hooker said. “But I’ve busted my paw.”
The UFC has not officially commented on Hooker’s status. Hooker later told Sky Sports New Zealand that he fractured his hand.
Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) was looking to surge into title contention after three straight wins over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner, and most recently a Fight of the Night over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 last August.
Meanwhile, former interim lightweight champion Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) hasn’t competed since a last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April. He lost the BMF title, which he captured with a head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier at UFC 291.
Upon hearing the news of Hooker’s withdrawal, a few prominent lightweights publicly volunteered to step up against Gaethje: Rafael Fiziev, Renato Moicano and Gamrot.
Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje https://t.co/keha1XhI5r pic.twitter.com/iYVS3JiDm7
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 25, 2025
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
Hooker out , I’m ready to go @Justin_Geathje
2 weeks no matter !! @ufc @espn
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) February 25, 2025
As of this writing, it’s unclear if Gaethje will remain on the card or if the UFC will rebook the Hooker fight at a later date.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.
