Dan Hooker Withdraws from UFC 313 Co-Main Event

The UFC 313 card as taken a significant hit, as Dan Hooker will not be competing on the March 8 card.

Hooker was supposed to face Justin Gaethje in a five-round, non-title bout in the evening’s co-headliner. However, “The Hangman” announced via his daughter’s YouTube channel that an injury has forced him to withdraw from the event.

“Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight,” Hooker said. “But I’ve busted my paw.”

The UFC has not formally announced Hooker’s exit, so it’s unclear if Gaethje will remain on the card against a replacement opponent. UFC 313 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight championship bout between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

Hooker had won his last three Octagon appearances, posting successive victories over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. Prior to that, the 35-year-old Kiwki had lost four of his previous five promotional outings. Hooker is 14-8 during his UFC tenure overall.

Once news of Hooker’s withdrawal made the rounds, a number of prominent lightweights volunteered their services to step in against Gaethje at UFC 313, including the likes of Rafael Fiziev, Mateusz Gamrot and Renato "Money" Moicano.

Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje https://t.co/keha1XhI5r pic.twitter.com/iYVS3JiDm7

— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 25, 2025

Hooker out , I’m ready to go @Justin_Geathje 🔥 2 weeks no matter !! @ufc @espn

— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) February 25, 2025

2 weeks is good! I have enough time for 2 or 3 sparring sessions! I will be ready if they call! #ufc

— Renato Moicano (@moicanoufc) February 25, 2025