Dan Hooker
The Hangman
New Zealand
Quick bounce-back opportunity
Hooker will take on Benoit Saint-Denis in a lightweight matchup at UFC 325 on Jan. 31, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Hooker parlayed a three-fight winning streak into a title eliminator fight in November but was beaten handily by arguably the top lightweight contender in Arman Tsarukyan. Many wrote Hooker's future title aspirations off after that, but he could get right back in the picture if he pulls an upset over a surging BSD to open up the year. Hooker will have slight height and reach advantages, but Saint-Denis is a superior grapper who also happens to be a higher-volume striker.
Hooker parlayed a three-fight winning streak into a title eliminator fight in November but was beaten handily by arguably the top lightweight contender in Arman Tsarukyan. Many wrote Hooker's future title aspirations off after that, but he could get right back in the picture if he pulls an upset over a surging BSD to open up the year. Hooker will have slight height and reach advantages, but Saint-Denis is a superior grapper who also happens to be a higher-volume striker.
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Falls in Qatar main event
Hooker lost to Arman Tsarukyan via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:34 of Round 2 at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Hooker wasn't thoroughly overwhelmed despite entering as a betting underdog as high as (+600), but there's a clear difference between him and the elite lightweights in the division. He was taken down and controlled for 3:16 in the opening frame, losing the significant striking battle 19-to-5. Despite landing a right hook early, he gave up an early takedown in Round 2, and Tsarukyan was able to lock in the choke from there that ultimately ended the proceedings. The loss snaps a three-fight winning streak for the 35-year-old, who may never again get this close to title contention.
Hooker wasn't thoroughly overwhelmed despite entering as a betting underdog as high as (+600), but there's a clear difference between him and the elite lightweights in the division. He was taken down and controlled for 3:16 in the opening frame, losing the significant striking battle 19-to-5. Despite landing a right hook early, he gave up an early takedown in Round 2, and Tsarukyan was able to lock in the choke from there that ultimately ended the proceedings. The loss snaps a three-fight winning streak for the 35-year-old, who may never again get this close to title contention.
Booked for main event
Hooker (hand) will take on Arman Tsarukyan in a lightweight bout at UFC Qatar on Nov. 22, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Hooker had to pull out of his last scheduled bout with Justin Gaethje due to an injured hand, but he's now ready to step back inside the Octagon for a headlining bout against Tsarukyan. The 35-year-old Hooker is more experienced in the UFC and overall, boasting a 14-8 record in the promotion. Still, his opponent has been lethal with the UFC, piling up nine wins with only two losses on the books.
Hooker had to pull out of his last scheduled bout with Justin Gaethje due to an injured hand, but he's now ready to step back inside the Octagon for a headlining bout against Tsarukyan. The 35-year-old Hooker is more experienced in the UFC and overall, boasting a 14-8 record in the promotion. Still, his opponent has been lethal with the UFC, piling up nine wins with only two losses on the books.
Injury causes fight cancellation
Hooker will not fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 due to a hand injury, per Alexander K. Lee of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Hooker recently busted his paw bad enough that he will be unable to fight at UFC 313. An upcoming win over Justin Gaethje could have gotten him a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. The fight could still happen, but a shot at Gaethje will require some time before it can go through.
Hooker recently busted his paw bad enough that he will be unable to fight at UFC 313. An upcoming win over Justin Gaethje could have gotten him a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. The fight could still happen, but a shot at Gaethje will require some time before it can go through.
Gets title-implicating fight
Hooker will take on Justin Gaethje in a lightweight matchup in the co-main event of UFC 313 on March 8, according to the UFC 311 broadcast.
ANALYSIS
Hooker is riding a three-fight winning streak that includes impressive upsets against Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot, who are currently ranked No. 14 and No. 8, respectively, in a loaded lightweight division. We'll find out for real whether the 34-year-old has turned a corner in his game, as he'll draw the No. 3-ranked lightweight in Gaethje, a fan-favorite due to his high-volume striking and disregard for defense. Both men are capable wrestlers, but neither really puts that skill to use much, so expect a fan-friendly, stand-up affair. Hooker will likely enter as the betting underdog, and he does have a five-inch reach advantage, but that certainly won't stop Gaethje from crashing into the pocket with bad intentions.
Hooker is riding a three-fight winning streak that includes impressive upsets against Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot, who are currently ranked No. 14 and No. 8, respectively, in a loaded lightweight division. We'll find out for real whether the 34-year-old has turned a corner in his game, as he'll draw the No. 3-ranked lightweight in Gaethje, a fan-favorite due to his high-volume striking and disregard for defense. Both men are capable wrestlers, but neither really puts that skill to use much, so expect a fan-friendly, stand-up affair. Hooker will likely enter as the betting underdog, and he does have a five-inch reach advantage, but that certainly won't stop Gaethje from crashing into the pocket with bad intentions.
Pulls upset of Mateusz Gamrot
Hooker defeated Mateusz Gamrot via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 305 on Saturday in Perth, Australia.
ANALYSIS
Hooker won this fight on the strength of pure grit and determination. He gave up five takedowns and ate some massive shots, especially early on, but he just kept coming. This was a classic case of optics playing a big role in the result. Gamrot didn't do a heck of a lot in terms of damage with his positional advantages. And while he matched Hooker blow-for-blow in terms of volume, Dan's shots appeared to land with much more verocity. Gamrot was chasing the fight in Round 3, and Hooker took advantage, winning the frame on all three scorecards. Hooker had a long history of struggling against high-end competition, so pulling an upset of the guy that entered the evening ranked No. 5 in a loaded lightweight division is a major accomplishment. He'll also walk away with an extra $50,000 after this matchup was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Hooker won this fight on the strength of pure grit and determination. He gave up five takedowns and ate some massive shots, especially early on, but he just kept coming. This was a classic case of optics playing a big role in the result. Gamrot didn't do a heck of a lot in terms of damage with his positional advantages. And while he matched Hooker blow-for-blow in terms of volume, Dan's shots appeared to land with much more verocity. Gamrot was chasing the fight in Round 3, and Hooker took advantage, winning the frame on all three scorecards. Hooker had a long history of struggling against high-end competition, so pulling an upset of the guy that entered the evening ranked No. 5 in a loaded lightweight division is a major accomplishment. He'll also walk away with an extra $50,000 after this matchup was awarded Fight of the Night honors.