Justin Gaethje vs Dan Hooker, one of the most-anticipated UFC fights of 2025, has seemingly fallen apart after Hooker sustained a hand injury.
The lightweight pair, widely considered two of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, were due to square off in the co-main event of UFC 313 on 8 March.
However, Hooker said on his daughter’s YouTube channel: “Dad had a fight… or was supposed to have a fight, but I’ve busted my paw.” Hooker then showed off what appears to be a swollen hand.
The Independent has contacted representatives of Gaethje for comment, while other lightweights have offered to replace Hooker.
Rafael Fiziev expressed a desire to step in for a rematch with Gaethje, who narrowly outpointed Fiziev in 2023. “Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje,” the Azerbaijani tweeted.
Meanwhile, the X account of Renato Moicano’s podcast suggested that the Brazilian would be open to replacing Hooker. “Justin Gaethje needs a new opponent for UFC 313, you say?” read a post, accompanied by a photo of Moicano.
In January, Moicano stepped in to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev on one day’s notice, losing via first-round submission.
American Gaethje has not fought since suffering a brutal knockout by Max Holloway in April, in the very last second of their five-round clash for the “Baddest Motherf*****” belt. Gaethje, 36, lost the title with that defeat, having won it in 2023 by knocking out Dustin Poirier.
Meanwhile, Hooker was due to enter UFC 313 on a three-fight win streak. The New Zealander, 35, outpointed Mateusz Gamrot, Jalin Turner and Claudio Pelles in his last three fights, dating back to November 2022. His most-recent win was the victory over Gamrot, last August.
Last week, Hooker claimed that his fight with Gaethje had been shortened from five scheduled rounds to three. “They’re trying to give me every disadvantage they can possibly give me, bro, but that’s fine,” he told Submission Radio.
“Everything… He wanted to switch it to three, it’s switched to three. It’s pretty much, he gets… But that’s why I want to fight Justin Gaethje: I want the perks that come with being one of the stars of the division.”
The main event of UFC 313, which takes place in Las Vegas, is due to see Alex Pereira defend the light-heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev.
