It has been unfortunate for the fans to have missed the initially planned UFC 313 co-main event fight between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker, as the latter pulled out due to an injury. ‘The Hangman’ isn’t one to back down from a fight because he expected an intense kind of scrap against the former BMF champion. But after considering his injury, and that too, at a pivotal stage in his career, it was understandably wise for Hooker to sit out this one.

Nevertheless, the exciting Kiwi lightweight is on his road to recovery and has already made plans for his comeback. Recently, Dana White announced some blockbuster fighters, including three upcoming championship clashes. As we all know, the PPV during International Fight Week is always one of the most exciting events of the year, and the CEO is guaranteed to put some good fights on that card. Guess what? Dan Hooker is hoping to find a spot in that event because he’s assured that the injury won’t sideline him for too long.

“I’ll be back [and] good to go [in] International Fight Week. That’s June/July, back in Las Vegas. So that’s not too far away,” Dan Hooker told Sky Sports New Zealand. “It’s just a small fracture on my hand. We’ll get it sorted ASAP and be back in there in no time.”

The lightweight veteran has been on a roll since 2022, and although he’s fought just twice in the last two years, Dan Hooker has amassed three wins on the trot. Quite understandably, it must have been a bummer since ‘The Hangman’ had the chance to inch closer to his title ambitions by beating a former interim champion.

While the doors were closed for Dan Hooker, they opened for another lightweight, Rafael Fiziev, who now has a chance at redemption. Yes, the Azerbaijani star will be butting heads against Justin Gaethje for the second time in their UFC career next month. However, ‘Ataman’ wouldn’t have had this chance if, according to ‘The Highlight,’ others didn’t reject it.

Justin Gaethje claims nobody wanted to fight him after Dan Hooker’s pullout

While we don’t know if it’s true or not, Justin Gaethje claimed that before Rafael Fiziev was picked to be the replacement opponent, the UFC was looking for someone in the top 10. ‘The Highlight’ claims that nobody wanted anything to do with a short-notice, but not ‘Ataman.’ Gaethje thanked Fiziev for stepping up for Dana White and Co. and saving the upcoming PPV and promised to deliver fireworks at UFC 313.

“Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th,” Justin Gaethje posted on X.

Well, Dana White doesn’t like fighters pulling out at the very last minute, which makes us wonder if he’ll grant Dan Hooker his wish to fight in June. What do you think? Let us know in the comments down below.