Not everybody was unhappy to listen to about Dan Hooker’s withdrawal.
Earlier this 12 months, Dana White introduced that Hooker and Gaethje would co-headline the promotion’s return to T-Cell Area this Saturday evening for UFC 313. It was a assured banger that had struggle followers seething in anticipation.
Then the rug was pulled out from underneath us.
Final month, Hooker revealed that he was formally out of the struggle after breaking his hand while coaching. With ‘Hangman’ set to endure surgical procedure, the UFC was tasked with rustling up a alternative. They’ve since accomplished that, however there’s no denying that followers have been left disillusioned.
Nonetheless, one man who was really “happy” to listen to that Hooker was out. That being former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
“I have such mixed feelings,” Whittaker mentioned on his MMArcade Podcast. “With Hooker out, I’m pleased finally, although, as a result of let’s face it—Gaethje vs. Hooker, a type of two dudes was going to die. And I’m an enormous fan of each guys, proper? However considered one of them wasn’t leaving the octagon. Neither of them have been. It might have been wonderful, like the most effective struggle of the 12 months, simply.
“But I’m a big fan of Hooker, and I’m a big fan of Gaethje, and I didn’t want to see one of my favorite dudes die.”
A well-recognized foe steps as much as change dan hooker
Taking Hooker’s spot at UFC 313 shall be Rafael Fiziev, a light-weight standout who has not fought since struggling a leg damage within the second spherical of a scrap in opposition to Mateusz Gamrot in September 2023.
Earlier than that, ‘Ataman’ went 5 rounds with Justin Gaethje at UFC 286, surrendering a majority determination to ‘The Highlight.’ General, Fiziev is 6-3 contained in the Octagon with 50% of his wins coming by the use of knockout. He walks into this weekend’s pay-per-view occasion having come up quick in his final two outings.
As for Gaethje, it is going to be his first time competing since struggling an insane last-second knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 final April. Gaethje is 8-5 underneath the UFC banner, evenly splitting wins and losses in his final six appearances.
