Longtime lightweight veteran, Dan Hooker, was scheduled to bang it out with 155-pound smashing machine, Justin Gaethje, in the UFC 313 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event on Sat., March 8, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, but a hand injury forced “The Hangman” to withdraw.
Stepping in to battle Gaethje on super short notice is No. 11-ranked lightweight, Rafael Fiziev, who dropped a majority decision to “The Highlight” during their “Fight of the Night” war as part of the UFC 286 lineup back in early 2023.
Gaethje (25-5) is coming off a stunning knockout loss to ex-featherweight champion, Max Holloway, while “Ataman” (12-3) is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak that includes his knee-exploding loss to 155-pound powerhouse, Mateusz Gamrot.
The 35 year-old Hooker (24-12) is coming off three straight wins, which includes his split decision victory over lightweight powerhouse, Mateusz Gamrot, at the UFC 305 PPV last summer in Perth. A timeline for “The Hangman’s” Octagon return has yet to be determined, but late 2025 seems like a reasonable goal.
For the rest of the UFC 313 fight card and PPV lineup click here.
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