Justin Gaethje is near booking his return to the Octagon almost a full 12 months faraway from his BMF knockout loss to Max Holloway.
Former interim UFC lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje hasn’t competed since losing the coveted BMF title to Max Holloway at UFC 300. One second away from a possible decision loss to Holloway, Gaethje suffered a knockout punch in some of the remarkable knockouts of all time.
Gaethje took a rare, long break from training and fighting following UFC 300. As the brand new 12 months kicks off, he’s targeting a return at UFC 313, tentatively set for T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
While Gaethje doesn’t have a fight booked, as of this writing, he believes he’s on a collision course with a fellow fan favorite.
Justin Gaethje eyes UFC fan favorite for UFC 313 bout
During a recent upload to his YouTube channel, Gaethje revealed an intriguing name for his targeted UFC comeback.
“So there’s no official fight signed but I told the UFC perhaps two or three months ago that March was the date I used to be on the lookout for,” Gaethje said. “I do know there’s a fight on March eighth in Las Vegas in order that’s the one I told them I desired to be on. I feel they’re determining fights immediately but I’m definitely mentally preparing, physically preparing to fight on that date.
“I feel it’s going to be Dan Hooker but with the UFC, things can all the time change. But that’s what I’m preparing for, mentally, physically for that fight March 8. So back to work. Feeling good, able to go.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
Gaethje has also been mentioned as a possible opponent for Dustin Poirier’s anticipated retirement fight later this 12 months. He knocked out Poirier with a head kick at UFC 291 for the then-vacant BMF belt.
Dan Hooker hasn’t appeared within the cage since a ‘Fight of the Yr’ candidate against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305. After earning the split decision win at UFC 305, Hooker surged into the lightweight Top 5 and is on the verge of a possible title shot.
Justin Gaethje took a protracted layoff following a brutal loss to Max Holloway
Hooker has won three fights in a row since a featherweight knockout loss to Arnold Allen in March 2022. He’s defeated Jalin Turner, Claudio Puelles, and Gamrot during his current winning streak.
A matchup between Gaethje and Hooker would make a variety of sense within the UFC lightweight division’s title picture. UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev faces Arman Tsarukyan this weekend at UFC 311, and the Gaethje/Hooker winner might be next in line for a title shot.
The approaching weeks could bring some clarity to Gaethje’s anticipated comeback fight and whether or not Hooker might be his next opponent. Regardless, fight fans needs to be excited to listen to that one in all the most important UFC fan favorites is nearing a return.
Related Topics
