As Dan Hooker bowled out of the fight due to an injury, an announcement regarding his replacement, who will take on the former UFC Lightweight Interim Champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, was always imminent. In comes UFC CEO Dana White with an Instagram live and has named the fighter who will complete the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8, 2025.
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Dana White Announces Rafael Fiziev as the Replacement for Dan Hooker
Rafael Fiziev, who faced Justin Gaethje at UFC 286 in 2023, has been given a chance to avenge his loss at the event. Fiziev will take on Gaethje in the co-main event of UFC 313. It will come as a crucial fight for Fiziev as he is on a two-fight losing spell, and one more defeat can intensify the pressure on him. The fight is also vital for Gaethje as a win could bring him in the title scenario again and a loss on the other hand can push him further down in the division's rankings.
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Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev: A Treat for the Fight Fans
The last time these two fighters squared off inside the Octagon, the fight went down to the wire and following the "Majority decision" verdict in favour of the Highlight, it was acclaimed as the fight of the night of UFC 286.
Thus, all eyes would be on the rematch, will it be a different result this time or Justin Gaethje will once again come up with the goods? While it is impossible to gauge the result, one thing is sure it will be a striking fest when these two supreme athletes collide inside the ring.