Dan Hooker News
UFC lightweights have 'good excuse' to duck Arman Tsarukyan
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 3, 2025
A 155-pound slugger won’t deny that other fighters are avoiding Arman Tsarukyan, but he feels the reasoning is valid. Tsarukyan is currently the No. 2-ranked UFC lightweight. He was expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for UFC gold, but he was forced off the card just hours prior to the weigh-ins. Tsarukyan hasn’t exactly found himself in the UFC’s good graces, and his refusal to face Mateusz Gamrot in a rematch certainly didn’t help.
Dan Hooker gets honest about potential BMF title fight
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has spoken openly about the possibility of him competing for the BMF championship in the future. Dan Hooker is one of the biggest fan favorites in all of mixed martial arts. While he may not always be in the win column, he knows how to put his best foot forward and put on a fun performance. While he’s been out injured for a while, it certainly feels like he has a big fight on the horizon when he does eventually return.
Dan Hooker takes aim at UFC in heated rant: 'I’m not going to break my back for a company that doesn’t respect me'
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2025
Dan Hooker isn’t happy with the UFC. Hooker flew to Las Vegas to attend UFC 317 to watch his teammate Kai Kara-France challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title. Yet, before the event, Hooker had his tickets pulled, which he wasn’t happy about. He says that it will impact when he returns to fight, as he won’t be fighting injured or trying to save cards now.
Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan put on blast by UFC lightweight slugger: 'Daddy's home'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
One crowd-pleasing UFC lightweight has taken aim at Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Oliveira is coming off a failed bid for a second run with the UFC lightweight title. He was knocked out in the first round by Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 317.
Dan Hooker provides update following second hand surgery
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has provided an update on his current status following his second hand surgery. As we know, Dan Hooker is the definition of a warrior. He has been involved in some of the craziest wars we’ve ever seen in the lightweight division, and despite some of his setbacks, he’s still viewed as a top star at 155 pounds. Unfortunately, after an injury that led to his scheduled bout with Justin Gaethje being called off, ‘Hangman’ is on the outside looking in once again as he continues his recovery.
UFC fighter Dan Hooker suffers injury setback: 'I need a second surgery on my hand'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 1, 2025
Dan Hooker is enduring a setback in his recovery from an injury. Hooker was scheduled to share the Octagon with Justin Gaethje on the UFC 313 card back in March. “The Hangman” was forced to pull out of the fight, as he required surgery on his hand. Hooker was soon presented with an opportunity to take a backup role for the planned BMF Championship fight between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 in New Orleans.
UFC fan favorite blames Alexander Volkanovski's quick turnaround for loss to Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 6, 2025
Dan Hooker doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria did anything spectacular that led to his finish over Alexander Volkanovski. Back in Feb. 2024, Topuria challenged Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship. The bout didn’t make it out of the second round, as Topuria knocked Volknaovski out to become the new 145-pound titleholder. He followed that up with a third-round knockout victory over Max Holloway.
Kamaru Usman proposes some fun fights for the UFC's lightweight division
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has put forward some ideas for the future of the promotion’s lightweight division. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been incredibly lucky over the last five to ten years or so. There are a couple reasons for that, but one that comes to mind is this: the lightweight division. From top to bottom, the UFC has had an absolutely stacked top 15 and beyond at 155 pounds for the longest time. There are some absolute killers residing at lightweight, and we can’t think when that wasn’t the case.
Justin Gaethje reportedly vows to compete at UFC 313 despite Dan Hooker's injury: "I'll fight any of those guys"
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
According to UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, Justin Gaethje fully intends to compete next month. ‘The Highlight’ hasn’t been seen since his ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Max Holloway last April. At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje went back and forth with ‘Blessed’, with his ceremonial BMF title on the line. In round five, the Hawaiian scored a shocking knockout win with just seconds left in the bout. For Gaethje, the defeat was a brutal one.
Two top UFC lightweights offer to step in for Dan Hooker against Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
Two top UFC lightweights have offered to step in and fight Justin Gaethje in place of Dan Hooker at UFC 313 next month. In case you missed the news overnight, Dan Hooker will no longer be competing against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 in March. He seems to have suffered a hand injury that will put him on the shelf for an undisclosed period of time, leaving Gaethje without an opponent.
Dan Hooker confirms he is out of UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has announced that he is out of his scheduled UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje. As we know, Dan Hooker was set to return to the Octagon for an absolutely insane lightweight collision with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Unfortunately, that’ll no longer be happening. Following on from reports in the MMA media, the man himself posted a video that confirmed he will be out of action as a result of a hand injury.
Dan Hooker expects to be stretchered out following UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
Dan Hooker believes that win or lose, he’ll be feeling the aftermath of his clash with Justin Gaethje. Hooker and Gaethje will be sharing the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313. The bout will be taking place on March 8th. Hooker is looking for his fourth win in a row. A victory over Gaethje would also be the biggest win of “The Hangman’s” pro MMA career.
Dan Hooker previews UFC 313 co-main event against Justin Gaethje: "The UFC wants to see someone die"
Josh Evanoff - January 27, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker can’t wait to go to war with Justin Gaethje. ‘The Hangman’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Mateusz Gamrot in August. That night at UFC 305 saw Dan Hooker go to war with ‘Gamer’, and emerge with an upset win by split-decision. The victory was the New Zealander’s third in a row, previously scoring victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles.
Dan Hooker discusses his friendship with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has discussed his close friendship with Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend. For Israel Adesanya, his mixed martial arts legacy has already been cemented in the eyes of many. He’s an incredible competitor who has won multiple world titles, and he’ll go down in history as one of the best middleweights in UFC history. In addition to that, he’s also been part of City Kickboxing, one of the best teams in MMA, for a long time.
Dan Hooker prefers championship over money at this stage in his career
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has said he would prefer a championship to money at this point in his mixed martial arts career. Over the years, Dan Hooker has been an ever-present member of the UFC roster. He’s been involved in some absolute wars, and as we look ahead to his immediate future, it feels like he’s on the verge of another big opportunity.
Dan Hooker doesn't consider trash talk with Renato Moicano and Islam Makhachev to be 'real beef'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 10, 2025
Dan Hooker may engage in some banter with fellow UFC lightweights, but he doesn’t take things personal. Hooker has had his fair share of trash talk with the likes of Renato Moicano, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier in the past. “The Hangman” isn’t known for running his mouth, but he will have some words for other 155-pounders on occasion. While the war of words can be fun for the top-10 UFC lightweight, he isn’t so sure that he can say he has actual beef with anyone.
Dan Hooker vs Justin Gaethje reportedly considered in huge possible lightweight fight
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024
Dan Hooker vs Justin Gaethje is reportedly being considered for a huge possible lightweight collision in the UFC next year. When you’re talking about the most entertaining fighters in the game, Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje have to be in the conversation. Throughout the course of their entire careers, they have put on some of the most incredible scraps imaginable. From violent knockouts to all-out wars, these two know how to do it all.
WATCH | UFC lightweight Dan Hooker destroys streamer IShowSpeed in sparring session
Josh Evanoff - November 25, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker recently faced off with popular streamer IShowSpeed. ‘The Hangman’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since an August showdown with Mateusz Gamrot. There, Dan Hooker handed ‘Gamer’ a split-decision loss, in a bout that earned ‘Fight of The Night‘ honors. With the victory, the New Zealander improved his winning streak to three, previously defeating Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles.