Dan Hooker needed to combat at UFC 313, regardless of having a damaged hand.
On Tuesday, information broke that Hooker is out of his scheduled five-round co-main event fight in opposition to Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 subsequent Saturday. The No. 6-ranked light-weight revealed the data on his daughter’s YouTube channel, noting he “broke his paw.” A little bit later, “The Hangman” clarified precisely what occurred when talking with Sky Sports activities New Zealand.
“One of many paws isn’t doing too properly,” Hooker stated whereas displaying the distinction in his fingers. “I used to be sparring final night time, as I do, simply letting some hooks go, simply throwing some bombs down vary, and I simply caught one of many boys on the highest of the dome with my knuckle. I don’t suppose an excessive amount of of it however they despatched me off to get a CT scan. Had a bit of CT scan they usually advised me my hand is fractured.”
As issues stand proper now, Hooker isn’t positive what occurs subsequent. The combat with Gaethje was one of the vital anticipated of the yr and will have decided the following light-weight title challenger, however “The Hangman” says he’s doesn’t know if the promotion will wait and rebook it or discover a substitute in lower than two weeks’ discover.
“So yeah, I clearly nonetheless would combat,” Hooker stated. “[Laughs] However with the medicals they squeeze your fingers and [makes face and screams]. So we’ll see the way it all performs out. … We’ll see if we will kick this combat down the highway or we’ll simply wait and see.
“It’s unlucky that it was this shut. Clearly, gutted for all of the followers that I do know that have been excited for this combat. That’s in all probability the principle factor, I feel. The Lords of Battle weren’t completely happy, they usually took it away from you.”
If the promotion does select to interchange Hooker, there are no shortage of fighters willing to step up. Rafael Fiziev, Mateusz Gamrot, and Renato Moicano have been all fast to throw their title within the hat to combat Gaethje at UFC 313.
