Jul 29, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

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Who Will Replace Dan Hooker Against Justin Gaethje At UFC 314? Exploring Potential Opponents For ‘The Highlight’

Get to know who could be the replacement opponent of Justin Gaethje after Dan Hooker pullout of UFC 313 in March

Jul 29, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) reacts to defeating Dustin Poirier (red gloves) during UFC 291 at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Hooker recently pulled out of his fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 due to a hand injury. With this, it opened the door for several other lightweights to throw their names in the hat. UFC 313, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8, is already packed with exciting matchups, including a light heavyweight title defense by Alex Pereira against Magomed Ankalaev. However, all eyes are on the vacant Gaethje slot. The question is: who will step up to fight “The Highlight”?

As of now, three fighters have publicly expressed their willingness to face Gaethje in what promises to be another action-packed bout. Let’s take a look at these potential contenders and how they might fare against the former interim lightweight champion.

Also Read: Dan Hooker Injury Update- Why Did Dan Hooker Pull Out From the Justin Gaethje Fight At UFC 313?

Rafael Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev was the first to call for the fight after Hooker’s withdrawal. Fiziev is a name many fans remember well, as he fought Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. Their battle was one of the most exciting fights of 2023 and earned the Fight of the Night honors. Fiziev came up short in that bout, losing by a majority decision, but it was a close, high-paced war.

Let’s run it back @Justin_Gaethje https://t.co/keha1XhI5r pic.twitter.com/iYVS3JiDm7
— Rafael “Ataman” Fiziev (@RafaelFiziev) February 25, 2025

Fiziev had been recovering from a knee injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since September. If he is medically cleared and ready to go, this rematch would be a great way for him to get back into the title mix. Both fighters are known for their striking, and Fiziev would have the added motivation of redemption. Fans would certainly be excited to see this matchup again, and it could have fireworks written all over it.

Mateusz Gamrot

Mateusz Gamrot might not have the same name recognition as some of the other lightweights, but he is a dangerous fighter who can be a serious threat to Justin Gaethje. Gamrot, like Fiziev, also has a personal stake in this. His most recent fight was a split decision loss to Hooker in August 2023, a fight that many thought could have gone either way.

In his tweet calling out Gaethje, Gamrot pointed to his controversial loss to Hooker and expressed his desire for redemption. A fight with Gaethje could be just what he needs to get back into the conversation for a title shot. Gamrot is a skilled grappler with excellent wrestling, which could present a challenge for Gaethje, who is typically known for his brawling style.

My fight with Hooker was very close and he got lucky with the judges. Time to fix it and prove it !! @Justin_Gaethje @ufc @espn @MMAJunkie
— Mateusz Gamrot (@gamer_mma) February 25, 2025

While Gaethje’s striking is among the best in the division, Mateusz Gamrot’s ability to mix in grappling and clinch work could make him a tricky opponent. This clash would be an interesting test of Justin Gaethje’s ability to stop the takedown and fight at close quarters.

Renato Moicano

If there is one fighter who loves a challenge, it’s Renato Moicano. The Brazilian has made a name for himself as one of the most willing fighters to step in on short notice. Most recently, he took a last-minute title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 31. He stepped in just a day before the fight after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out. Though Moicano lost that fight, his willingness to jump into the deep end is something fans love.

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

After Hooker’s withdrawal, Moicano wasted no time jumping on social media, offering himself up for the Justin Gaethje fight. While he has had mixed results in his career, Moicano’s relentless pressure and excellent submission game could present some interesting problems for Gaethje. Despite Gaethje’s reputation for his knockout power, Moicano has proven to be a resilient fighter who won’t go down easily!

(Image Credit: Jeff Swinger – Imagn Images)

Dan Hooker

Justin Gaethje

Mateusz Gamrot

Rafael Fiziev

Renato Moicano

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!