The former UFC interim lightweight champion was all set to face Dan Hooker at UFC 313 on March 8 in Las Vegas, but injury to Hooker forced the Kiwi contender off the fight card and left “The Highlight” without a dance partner for his co-main event booking.
But the UFC matchmakers have moved swiftly to rectify the matter and, after Mateusz Gamrot, Renato Moicano and Rafael Fiziev all offered to step in, Fiziev was booked as Gaethje’s new opponent at T-Mobile Arena.
The fight was announced by UFC president and CEO Dana White on Instagram Live late on Wednesday night, with the pair set to renew their rivalry after Gaethje edged a thrilling contest by majority decision at London’s O2 Arena at UFC 286.
Dana White announces new #UFC313 Co-Main Event Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev.
Also, added to #UFC314: Jean Silva vs. Bryce Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/e4o5hr0GDC
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 27, 2025
Now Fiziev, who is returning from an 18-month layoff, will step in on less than two weeks’ notice to face Gaethje in a three-round co-main event clash on pay-per-view.
Hooker, meanwhile, has revealed that he hopes to be back in action this summer, and is targeting UFC 317, at UFC International Fight Week, as his preferred comeback event.
UFC 313: Confirmed bouts
MAIN CARD
- Alex Pereira vs Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
- Justin Gaethje vs Rafael Fiziev – lightweight
- Jalin Turner vs Ignacio Bahamondes – lightweight
- Amanda Lemos vs Iasmin Lucindo – women’s strawweight
- King Green vs Mauricio Ruffy – lightweight
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Curtis Blaydes vs Rizvan Kuniev – heavyweight
- Joshua Van vs Rei Tsuruya – flyweight
- Brunno Ferreira vs Armen Petrosyan – middleweight
- Alex Morono vs Carlos Leal – welterweight
EARLY PRELIMS
- Mairon Santos vs Francis Marshall – featherweight
- Djorden Santos vs Ozzy Diaz – middleweight
