Dan Hooker embodies the warrior spirit of a true gladiator, stepping into the Octagon not just to compete, but to engage in glorious combat. The New Zealand native approaches each fight with a philosophy as sharp as his striking – there’s no middle ground in his world of steel and spirit. On the other side of the side, Justin Gaethje stands as the perfect American parallel to Hooker’s warrior ethos – they share the same philosophical DNA when it comes to fighting.

Like Hooker, Gaethje has famously declared he fights for “entertainment” and that he’d rather be knocked out than win a boring decision. He’s earned the nickname ‘The Highlight’ because he approaches every fight with the same mentality Hooker brings – pure violence and a willingness to absorb damage to deal it. Both fighters embody what the late Kimbo Slice once said: “If you don’t knock me out, I’m gonna knock you out – that’s what I’m comin’ to do..” 

And in their highly anticipated UFC 313 co-main event bout, we are in for some chaos! Scheduled for March 8, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, this bout promises to be a thrilling display of striking prowess and relentless aggression.

The outcome of this bout could have major implications for the lightweight title picture, potentially setting the winner up for a future championship opportunity. But what are Dan Hooker’s expectations heading into the fight? It seems he’s fully prepared to leave everything in the cage—even if it means exiting on a stretcher.

In a conversation with ESPN Australia, Hooker made his mindset crystal clear, a statement later shared by Championship Rounds on Instagram.

“I know full well, 100 percent that the fight is gonna end no matter whether his arm gets raised, my arm gets raised, and then I’m going straight on to a stretcher, straight into the back of an ambulance and I’m going to the hospital,” Hooker stated. “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.”

The duo’s recent bouts have solidified their status as one of the best at 155lbs and a victory could propel them closer to a potential title shot. As UFC 313 approaches, the anticipation for Hooker vs. Gaethje continues to build and experts have also started making predictions for the fight. One such expert is fellow sage of violence Dustin Poirier who shared his honest opinion on the fight.

Dustin Poirier expects nothing but fireworks for the clash between Hooker and Gaethje

In his recent bouts, Dan Hooker has shown just how brutal he can be inside the Octagon. Much like Gaethje, he brings relentless aggression and never fails to deliver thrilling action for the fans. Former 155lbs interim champ Dustin Poirier shared a similar view when asked by a fan about his thoughts on the upcoming clash. Having faced both Hooker and Gaethje himself, ‘The Diamond’ anticipates an all-out war between the two. Judging by his reaction, the Louisiana native is just as excited as the fans for their showdown at UFC 313.

Poirier took to his X account to share his honest verdict of the clash as he knows exactly what these fighters bring to the table. He tweeted, “Great match up!! Can’t wait to see that! Gonna be a WAR.”

The lightweight division is stacked with elite talent, but this fight has the makings of an instant classic. However, if UFC history has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is guaranteed inside the Octagon. With just over three weeks until UFC 313, predictions for the highly anticipated clash between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker are already rolling in—and there will undoubtedly be plenty more.

One thing is certain: when these two high-octane warriors step into the cage, fans can expect nothing but pure fireworks. Who do you think will come out on top at UFC 313? Drop your predictions in the comments below!