Rafael Fiziev steps in to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313

Rafael Fiziev has stepped in to replace the injured Dan Hooker against Justin Gaethje in the UFC 313 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8. The fight promotion made the announcement on Wednesday.

Several fighters offered to fill in after the news broke the Hooker was out of the fight with a hand injury. Fiziev was the one ultimately chosen and the rematch set.

Gaethje and Fiziev first fought at UFC 286 in March 2023. Gaethje narrowly defeated "Ataman" by majority decision and now they'll run it back nearly two years later.  

Fiziev (12-3) is coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. After dropping the majority decision to Gaethje, Fiziev lost to Mateusz Gamrot due to injury. The 31-year old hasn't fought since September 2023. He's ranked No. 11 in the 155-pound weight class.

Gaethje (25-5) last fought at UFC 300 last April, losing to Max Holloway by knockout in a fight for the symbolic "BMF" belt. Gaethje is ranked No. 3 in the lightweight division.

UFC 313 is headlined by a middleweight title bout. Champion Alex Pereira puts his belt on the line against top 205-pound contender Magomed Ankalaev. It will be the second time Ankalaev has fought for the light heavyweight championship.  He faced Jan Błachowicz for the vacant title at UFC 282 but the fight ended in a split draw.