When the news came out that Top 6 ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweights Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker are set to collide in the co-main event of UFC 313 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, most fight fans thought one thing: ‘That’s going to be ridiculously violent.’
And on top of that, the fight is scheduled for five rounds.
But why?
“I just think the UFC wants to see someone die,” Hooker told Ariel Helwani today (Mon. Jan. 27, 2025). “They want a finish. I feel like for the fans as well; They wanna see someone go down. They wanna see blood. They wanna see rounds 4 and 5. I’m happy to oblige for money.”
UFC has yet to see a death in the Octagon (knock on wood), but it’s easy to see how this fight will be insanely fun and violent.
For what it’s worth, “The Highlight” didn’t plan on waking up after UFC 300.
Gaethje, 36, will return for the first time since getting slept by Max Holloway at UFC 300 (watch highlights) and holds 20 knockouts to his name with eight ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses, while Hooker, 34, has 11 knockouts, seven submissions, and three ‘Fight of the Night.’
Removing all of the stats and accolades, what it all comes down to is this: both Gaethje and Hooker bring it every single time, and at UFC 313, it should be no different.
To check out UFC’s upcoming schedule of events, click here.