Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: UFC, Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, Injury
Ben McCrum
Next month's UFC 313 card featuring Alex Pereira's much anticipated return has taken a massive blow as a potential fight of the year has been called off just weeks out.
On March 9, the UFC's biggest star Pereira will defend his light heavyweight belt against number one contender Magomed Ankalaev at the T- Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The highly-anticipated fight is set to be supported by some of the most exciting fighters in the sport, including Justin Gaethje, Curtis Blaydes and King Green.
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However, it appears that perhaps the most exciting fight on the entire card could be in danger as one of the fighter has reportedly suffered an injury that has forced him to pull out of the fight just weeks before the event.
As soon as details of the full UFC 313 card were released, fans immediately picked out the co-main event between Gaethje and Dan Hooker as a potential fight of the year given the two men's willingness to stand a trade powerful blows.
But now, it appears that the fight is set to be cancelled or postponed after Hooker confirmed that he had suffered a hand injury in the build up to fight week.
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Speaking in a video on his daughter's YouTube channel, the lightweight contender said: "We did have a little break, we have been busy. Dad had a fight, or was supposed to have a fight but I've busted my paw."
Rumours of Hooker withdrawing from the fight began circulating on Tuesday morning, confirming that the UFC are still deciding whether they will find a replacement opponent for Gaethje or rebook the fight for a later date.
The UFC are yet to officially confirm the news themselves and will likely wait until they can confirm what will happen with the UFC 313 card first.
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Some UFC fans may hope that featherweight champion Ilia Topuria could step in to replace Hooker after UFC boss Dana White confirmed that the unbeaten fighter was set to vacate his belt to step up to the lightweight division.
Mateusz Gamrot, who previously replaced Hooker when he pulled out of his fight against Jalin Turner in March 2023, is another top contender to step in on short notice.