The New Zealand light-weight contender Dan Hooker has formally withdrawn from his extremely anticipated co-main occasion bout in opposition to Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, scheduled for March 8, 2025, on the T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas. The choice comes after Hooker sustained a hand fracture throughout a sparring session, leaving followers and the UFC scrambling to handle the last-minute change.
Dan Hooker Explains UFC 313 Harm
The matchup between Dan Hooker and Gaethje was one of the crucial anticipated fights on the UFC 313 card. Identified for his or her relentless putting types, each fighters had been anticipated to ship an electrifying efficiency. The bout was initially scheduled for 5 rounds however had just lately been shortened to 3 after which cancelled on account of a hand damage.
In a candid rationalization of the incident, Hooker shared particulars of the damage throughout an interview with Sky Sport NZ. He revealed that the fracture occurred throughout routine sparring when he landed a punch on a coaching companion’s head. Initially dismissing the damage as minor, Hooker later underwent a CT scan that confirmed the fracture. “I didn’t think too much of it,” he stated. “But they sent me off to get a CT scan… and they told me my hand is fractured.”
Regardless of the damage, Hooker expressed his willingness to compete. He joked about needing mismatched glove sizes to accommodate his swollen hand and lamented the timing of the setback. “I obviously still would fight,” Hooker stated, including humorously, “Can I have one large glove and one 3XL please?” Nevertheless, he acknowledged that passing medical checks can be almost not possible given the severity of his situation.
“They’ll be like, “Make a fist.” And I’ll be like, “All right, I’m good to go.” Then get hit in it, and simply fall on the bottom, and burst into tears.”
Hooker additionally expressed disappointment for followers who had been eagerly awaiting the battle. “Obviously gutted for all the fans… I know they were excited for this fight,” he said, including that he hopes to reschedule the bout sooner or later. “That’s probably the main thing. I think the Lords of War were just not happy, and they took it away from you.”
With Dan Hooker’s withdrawal, Justin Gaethje is left with out an opponent simply weeks earlier than the occasion. The UFC has not but introduced whether or not Gaethje will face a substitute or if the battle might be rescheduled. Potential replacements have already emerged, with light-weight contenders Rafael Fiziev and Renato Moicano expressing curiosity in stepping in.
