With just a week remaining until UFC 313, the highly anticipated co-main event between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker got scrapped after the New Zealander had to pull out due to a hand injury sustained during his fight preparations. As a result, the fight card was left in limbo until Gaethje took to Snapchat, announcing, “Hooker is out of the fight. Waiting for a new opponent.” In the aftermath of Hooker’s withdrawal, several lightweight contenders initially expressed interest, including Renato Moicano and 11th-ranked Rafael Fiziev.
Ultimately, it was Fiziev who secured the coveted matchup against Gaethje. Following the announcement, the former interim champ revealed that multiple top fighters, including Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and others, had declined the short-notice fight. He also took a moment to acknowledge Fiziev’s willingness to step up, stating, “Arman and Charles understandably said no. Max and Dustin understandably said no. Moicano got the call and said no. Props to Fiziev for volunteering to fly across the world and take this fight…Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th,” Gaethje wrote on X.
However, shortly after Gaethje’s statement, Dustin Poirier swiftly took to X to refute the claim, stating, “I never got the call, I didn’t say no.” He further elaborated, “I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask Hunter, all respect to you and Fiziev, looking forward to this one again.”
I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask hunter, all respect to you and fizeav, looking forward to this one again https://t.co/p5NhjpabQq
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 27, 2025
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