“Bit of a Banana Peel” – Dan Hooker Pushes Against Taking Too Much From Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway Fight Before UFC 313

Think of Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker as the combat sports equivalent of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman’s meth lab explosions in Breaking Bad. While both create spectacular destruction, they do it with distinct signatures. Gaethje is like the unstoppable T-1000 from Terminator 2, morphing through punishment while dealing out lethal leg kicks and uppercuts. Meanwhile, Hooker strikes with the calculated violence of Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men. The style is deceptively technical but equally deadly, using his long frame to deliver punishment from unusual angles before moving in for a savage finish.

And this high-stakes lightweight war is set to go down at UFC 313, as the duo square off in a five-round co-main event. For Hooker, this fight represents a massive opportunity—riding a three-fight winning streak, a victory over Gaethje could propel him into the title conversation. On the other hand, Gaethje enters this bout looking to rebound from a devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. In what became an instant highlight-reel moment, ‘Blessed’ put Gaethje away with a buzzer-beater knockout punch with just one second left in the fight. Following the brutal loss, Gaethje has taken time off to recover and recalibrate, but Hooker isn’t underestimating him based on that defeat.

Speaking with Michael Bisping, Hooker made it clear that he wasn’t putting too much stock into Gaethje’s performance against Holloway. “It was a very competitive fight. I think Justin was even getting the better of it until a spinning backkick landed on his nose… You know what it’s like when you get your nose shattered in the first round—you can’t breathe, you can’t see. In rounds two and three, there were some eye pokes… I don’t take too much from that fight, even stylistically.”

Hooker further elaborated, challenging the popular narrative that Holloway “outclassed” Gaethje. “What most people take away from that fight is that Max outclassed Gaethje. I don’t think it’s that… It was just a bit of a banana-peel fight.”

In addition, Hooker has immense respect for his violent counterpart. Unlike many who label Gaethje as a reckless brawler, Hooker sees him as a highly technical fighter. In a recent interview with The Combat TV, Hooker shut down the notion that Gaethje is purely an aggressive, wild striker. Instead, he praised the former 155lbs interim champ for his footwork, movement, and overall skill set, calling him a “textbook fighter.”

“He is a really skillful fighter. I’d say he’s textbook, by the book. Technically he’s a very, very sound fighter. He’s hard to hit, too. I don’t know what everyone’s talking about. What are you guys watching, when you guys are looking at the TV? You know what I mean? I’m watching fights. He’s a really hard guy to hit. He moves a lot, good footwork, good angles. What are other people staring at?”

With that level of respect for his opponent, it’s clear that ‘The Hangman’ isn’t taking this fight lightly. He’s fully prepared to go to war at UFC 313, leaving everything in the cage!

Dan Hooker is ready to go out on a stretcher after UFC 313

Like a true warrior, Dan Hooker has already accepted the brutal reality of his upcoming fight. Speaking to ESPN, he boldly declared: “I’m going straight on a stretcher, straight into the back of an ambulance, and I’m going to the hospital.” Hooker’s mindset is fearless, and what makes this fight even more explosive is that Gaethje shares a similar philosophy.

With both fighters embracing a ride-or-die mentality, their highly anticipated UFC 313 co-main event is shaping up to be an absolute barnburner. Hooker doubled down on his approach, making it clear that he’s willing to go further than anyone to secure victory: “So, I’ve come to terms that’s how this night is gonna end. I’ve come to terms with that, brother. So, I’ve embraced that. If someone’s not ready to go to the lengths that I’m willing to go to, then they’re gonna have a hard night.”

One thing is certain—this isn’t just another Octagon battle; it’s a war between two of the most high-octane fighters in the UFC. So, who do you think survives the storm and comes out on top—Hooker or Gaethje? Drop your predictions below!