Justin Gaethje hints at next UFC opponent and date

Justin Gaethje is prepping to return at UFC 313.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) hasn’t competed since a unforgettable knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April. “The Highlight” has informed the UFC that he’d like to fight on the March 8 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“So, there’s no official fight signed, but I told the UFC maybe two, three months ago that March was, you know, the date I was looking for,” Gaethje said on his YouTube channel. “I know there’s a fight March 8 in Las Vegas so, that’s the one I told them I wanted to be on.

“I think they’re figuring out fights right now, but I’m certainly mentally preparing, physically preparing to fight on that date. So, that puts us eight-and-a-half weeks’ out, which means it’s really going to be here.”

Gaethje, 36, is chomping at the bit to come back, but knew he’d have to take an adequate amount of time off after getting knocked out against Holloway. He expects to face Dan Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC), who emerged as a top lightweight contender after picking up an upset win over Mateusz Gamrot.

“Coming off a knockout, I’m really excited to get back to training,” Gaethje said. “When you take a loss like that and you’re as competitive as we are, then it lights a fire under your ass, and we’re getting back to work. …So, we’re back to it, back in the swing of things and back getting ready for a specific day, a specific opponent. I think it’s going to be Dan Hooker, but you know, with the UFC, things can always change.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.