The fight world was ready for fireworks. UFC 313 had a co-main event tailor-made for chaos with Justin Gaethje vs. Dan Hooker. But just like that, it was gone. Hooker, a warrior through and through, suffered a fractured hand during training. ‘The Hangman’ recently appeared on Sky Sport NZ for a segment where he shared, “I obviously still would fight, but with the medicals when they squeeze your hands I’d just be there like [cringeing in pain].”

As always, fate had other plans, Hooker was out, and UFC 313 is left with a gaping hole. That’s when the talks of a replacement fighter started swirling. Who could step up such short notice against the wrecking ball that is Justin Gaethje? Well, Belal Muhammad put forth Paul Felder’s name but the UFC veteran and commentator’s reaction to the offer said it all!

Paul Felder wants no part of Justin Gaethje as he shuts down Belal Muhammad’s suggestion with an honest response  

In a post on X, Belal Muhammad wrote, “Justin vs Felder would be 🔥🔥”. The suggestion wasn’t entirely outlandish. Paul Felder, a battle-hardened veteran of the lightweight division, had once been one of the most exciting fighters in the sport.

But ‘The Irish Dragon’ is content with his new role behind the broadcast desk as he fired back with a mix of laughter and brutal honesty, stating, “😂 you trying to get me hurt?”

The welterweight champion wasn’t backing down either as he countered with, “Bro u still got gas in the tank, rev up the engine!!”

Although Felder didn’t say anything after making his thoughts clear, he had made his choice to hang up the gloves years ago. Back in 2021, Felder stepped away from the sport, not because he couldn’t fight, but because he knew exactly what staying too long in the game could cost him.

After announcing his retirement during UFC Fight Night 188, Felder addressed the media at the post-fight press conference and shared, “I won’t be that guy that fights past his expiration date, and I think it’s here. I think it’s a touch early, but I’d rather be a touch early than a touch late.”

Even a lucrative UFC contract and the fact that he was the last man to defeat Charles Oliveira at the time couldn’t sway him. The fire, that relentless hunger, was gone.

In a heartfelt confession, Felder stated, “I used to spar really top-level guys for years, and I’m creeping up closer to 40 every day. I want to be able to do sports and do other things and do activities with my daughter and play with my dog and do stuff like that.”

So when Belal Muhammad playfully pushed for a comeback, Felder’s response wasn’t just about physical readiness. It was about a promise he made to himself. He was done and he’d like to keep it that way. But if not ‘The Irish Dragon’, then who will face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313? Daniel Cormier has an idea and his pick doesn’t have to come out of retirement to face ‘The Highlight’!

Daniel Cormier reveals Gaethje is raring to fight at UFC 313 and shares his pick for a replacement  

A broken hand may have forced Dan Hooker out of UFC 313, but that wasn’t about to stop Justin Gaethje. The former BMF champ thrives in chaos, and sitting on the sidelines was never an option. So when Daniel Cormier heard the news, he knew exactly who to call.

In a clip shared on Instagram, Cormier revealed his first move that morning stating, “I called him this morning and my immediate question was, do you have any plans to not fight this week? And he goes, ‘are you f—— crazy?’ That’s Justin Gaethje. He goes, ‘are you crazy? Of course, I’m fighting.’”

But the question remains, who’s stepping in? Cormier has a name in mind, and it’s not just any lightweight contender or a veteran angling for a comeback. The former ‘champ-champ’ revealed, “But for me, I want you versus Renato Moicano. I think that’s a fun fight.”

‘Money’ Moicano recently stepped up on short notice to take on Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. And he wasted no time throwing his name in the mix this time too. Taking to X, the Brazilian wrote, “Two weeks is good. I have enough time for two or three sparring sessions. I will be ready if they call.”

With the clock ticking and Justin Gaethje ready to go, the UFC now has a choice. Do they go with Cormier’s pick, or will another fighter seize the moment? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!