Fiziev to fight Gaethje at UFC 313 after Hooker injury
Rafael Fiziev will face off against Justin Gaethje in a three-round fight at the UFC 313 co-main event on March 8, UFC CEO Dana White announced Wednesday.
Fiziev replaces Dan Hooker in the lightweight bout after Hooker fractured his hand sparring earlier this week. Renato Moicano and Mateusz Gamrot also offered to step in for Hooker.
The fight will be Fiziev's first since tearing his ACL in September 2023. The 31-year-old has reportedly been ready to return for months, but the UFC struggled to find him an opponent.
Gaethje is looking to rebound after getting knocked out in the final round by Max Holloway at UFC 300 last April. The 36-year-old is ranked No. 3 in the lightweight division.
The UFC 313 co-main event is a rematch of a thrilling March 2023 fight in which Gaethje defeated Fiziev via majority decision.
Alex Pereira will look to defend his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev in the main event on March 8.