Lightweight star undergoes surgery after UFC 313 withdrawal

This fan favorite will hopefully return to the Octagon sooner rather than later.

Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

“The Hangman” is on the road to recovery after an injury derailed his highly-anticipated fight at UFC 313 this weekend.

Dan Hooker Misses Out On Justin Gaethje Fight

Set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, UFC 313 is headlined by UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira and #1-ranked contender Magomed Anakalev.

Will Joe Rogan call UFC 313?

Alex Pereira fights Khalil Rountree Jr. in a light heavyweight title bout during UFC 307 at Delta Center. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Fans are eager to see if Pereira can defend his title a fourth time against a fighter in Anakalev that should provide a stiff test for his takedown defense, and Dana White’s original announcement of the UFC 313 headliner included news that lightweights Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje would throw down in the card’s co-main event.

Jalin Turner fights Dan Hooker during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The lightweight scrap had “Fight of the Night” written all over it, but unfortunately a hand injury forced Hooker to withdraw from the bout less than two weeks before UFC 313.

"The Hangman" Drops Update On Hand Injury

Hooker was obviously disappointed to miss out on the Gaethje fight but appeared to be in fairly good spirits after announcing the injury, and the 35-year-old wasted little time before undergoing surgery to address his fractured hand.

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A post shared by Dan "Hangman" Hooker (@danhangman)

Currently the UFC’s #6-ranked lightweight contender, Hooker is riding a three-fight win streak that began with a finish against Claudio Puelles before he earned split decisions over Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.

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“The Hangman” could have put himself into the lightweight title conversation with a win at UFC 313, but instead Gaethje will now square off with #11-ranked Rafael Fiziev in a rematch of their 2023 meeting that took home “Fight of the Night” honors at UFC 286.

Justin Gaethje celebrates after defeating Rafael Fiziev during UFC 286 at O2 Arena. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

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