Dan Hooker out of Justin Gaethje ‘fight of the year’ due to hand fracture

Hooker showed off a swollen hand as he confirmed the news, which has thwarted the UFC 313 co-main event

Justin Gaethje vs Dan Hooker, one of the most-anticipated UFC fights of 2025, has fallen apart after Hooker sustained a hand fracture.

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 a swollen hand.

Later, he told Sky Sports New Zealand: “I was just sparring last night, as I do, just letting some hooks go – throwing some bombs down range. And I just caught one of the boys on the top of the dome with my knuckle. I didn’t think too much of it, but they sent me off to get a CT scan, and they told me that my hand is fractured.

“I obviously still would fight [if I could]. We’ll see how it all plays out. We’ll see if we can kick this fight down the road. We’ll just wait and see, baby. It’s just unfortunate that it was this close. Obviously, gutted for all the fans that I know were excited for this fight, that’s probably the main thing. I think the lords of war were not happy, and they took it away from you.”

The Independent contacted representatives of Gaethje for comment, while the American said on social media that he was waiting for a new opponent.

Justin Gaethje (left) and Dan Hooker were due to clash at UFC 313 (Getty Images)

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, Renato Moicano said he would be open to replacing Hooker. “2 weeks is good!” he tweeted. “I have enough time for 2 or 3 sparring sessions! I will be ready if they call!” In January, the Brazilian challenged UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev on one day’s notice, losing via first-round submission.

Mateusz Gamrot, who lost a close decision to Hooker in August, also threw his name in the hat. The Polish fighter tweeted: “My fight with Hooker was very close and he got lucky with the judges. Time to fix it and prove it !! @Justin_Gaethje.”

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.

Hooker after his win over Jalin Turner in 2023 (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Hooker was due to enter UFC 313 on a three-fight win streak. The New Zealander, 35, outpointed Gamrot, Jalin Turner and Claudio Pelles in his last three fights, dating back to November 2022.

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.