The UFC 313 combat card misplaced its scheduled co-main occasion. Lightweights Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje had been slated to conflict in a combat that promised pleasure however a hand harm has pressured Hooker out of the combat.
Hooker revealed the harm in a video posted to his daughter’s YouTube channel on Tuesday.
“Dad had a combat, or was alleged to have a combat,” Hooker mentioned within the video. “However I’ve busted my paw.”
Hooker later spoke with Sky Sports activities New Zealand and revealed that he fractured his left hand.
View the unique article to see embedded media.
Hooker (24-12) is ranked No. 6 within the light-weight division and has received has final three fights. A win over No. ranked Gaethje would have put Hooker squarely in title contender.
Gaethje (25-5) final fought at UFC 300 final April, shedding to Max Holloway by knockout in a combat for the symbolic ‘BMF belt.’ On the time of publication it was unclear whether or not Gaethje would stay on the combat card in opposition to a brand new opponent or be pushed again to a later occasion.
As soon as the information broke that Hooker was out of the combat, a number of fighters supplied to step in together with No. 11 ranked Rafael Fiziev, No. 10 ranked Renato Moicano, and No. 8 ranked Mateusz Gamrot.