Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev 2 is set, but that wasn’t the only replacement matchup considered for UFC 313.
Fiziev steps up on short-notice for an injured Dan Hooker with the March 8 pay-per-view taking place next Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami. When Hooker announced his withdrawal, a number of fighters publicly expressed interest in stepping in for the New Zealand fan favorite, but Fiziev got the call in the end.
Following UFC CEO Dana White announcing the new UFC 313 co-main event Wednesday evening, Gaethje sent out a tweet offering more details as to how the decision was made.
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. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best…
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) February 27, 2025
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. Big risk here for me taking this rematch against and elite striker. Life’s a trip. Best live show on earth going down March 8th
In the tweet, Gaethje mentions a number of big name lightweights, including Arman Tsarukyan—who was scheduled to face lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 this past January before pulling out with a back injury a day before the event—and past opponents Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier. All of those names “understandably said no” according to Gaethje.
He added that Renato Moicano, one of the fighters who put his name out on social media as a replacement for Hooker, also declined. Moicano recently stepped up on short notice to fight Makhachev in Tsarukyan’s place.
Gaethje’s tweet drew responses from the fighters mentioned, including Poirier, who has fought Gaethje twice. In their most recent contest, Gaethje defeated Poirier via head kick knockout at UFC 291 to avenge Poirier defeating him via TKO at UFC Glendale back in April 2018.
“I never got the call,” Poirier wrote on Twitter. “I didn’t say no.”
I never got the call, I didn’t say no https://t.co/p5NhjpabQq
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 27, 2025
Poirier added, “I’m the one who reached out to them when I read the news. Ask [UFC CBO] Hunter [Campbell], 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
Arman Tsarukyan also responded, saying that he accepted, but preferred a 160-pound catchweight bout given the limited preparation time. He claims the UFC did not agree to that suggestion.
I didn’t say no, I accepted immediately and asked for a 160lbs catchweight 11 days out from weigh ins, UFC said that wasn’t an option https://t.co/3IfQ3Rjhv5
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) February 27, 2025
One fighter not mentioned by Gaethje was Mateusz Gamrot, who also publicly volunteered to step in for Hooker at UFC 313. Gamrot lost a split decision to Hooker at UFC 305 this past August and was itching to get back in the win column
He sent out a tweet that was vaguely critical of Fiziev being selected to fight Gaethje instead.
“Easier choice stylistically,” Gamrot wrote. “Strikers have always feared wrestlers. I keep in great shape and I’m ready for anyone.”
UFC 313 is headlined by Alex Pereira defending his light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev, with the Gaethje-Fiziev rematch serving as the co-main event.