UFC fan favorite Dan Hooker was near signing on to headline UFC Perth before recent events ensued.
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker is certainly one of the division’s most fun combatants. Throughout his profession, Hooker has treated fight fans to a number of the wildest firefights in UFC history, including his legendary 2020 brawl with Dustin Poirier.
But nearly eight months into 2025, and Hooker stays and not using a booking as he nears a light-weight title shot. He was alleged to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 before withdrawing attributable to a hand injury.
Dan Hooker admits to strained relationship with UFC over UFC 317 incident
Since UFC 313, Hooker has continued to recuperate from his extensive hand surgery as he plots a return to the Octagon. But after a recent incident during UFC 317 fight week in Las Vegas, his timeline for a comeback fight hit an unexpected obstacle.
In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker explained what happened that led to his currently strained relationship with the UFC brass.
“Obviously, it will’ve been cool to fight in Perth and return to Perth, headline with Arman [Tsarukyan], but that’s eight weeks…would’ve been a little bit of a rush for the hand to be good and prepared by then,” Hooker began. “But I still was going to do it, simply because I desired to do it for the fans. I might’ve rushed back and fought when the hand wasn’t ready and still sort of recovering.
“After which I went over to look at [Kai Kara-France’s] fight, and so they tried to get me away from bed at 7:30 a.m., the UFC booked me for some s***. Which is 3:00 a.m. Latest Zealand time. I didn’t even exit, I had an early night, but I’m not getting away from bed at 3 within the morning to do absolutely anything…didn’t go to the UFC thing, and so they canceled my tickets to [UFC 317].”
Hooker went on to disclose the status of his relationship with the UFC brass, and hinted it’s at an all-time low point.
“So I’m going to rush back, and fight injured, for a corporation that’s going to cancel my tickets to the event once I’ve traveled all of the strategy to Las Vegas? I might’ve fought [in Perth], injured, but then someone at a desk crossed my name off of a listing. You’re employed within the office…you’ll think there could be a bit more respect there for guys who literally give their life,” Hooker said.
“The quantity of blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured to placed on shows for his or her company, I believed there would’ve been a bit more respect there. But there’s not, which is cool, business is business. We will fight on my terms then! You wanted me to fight in Perth, but we will fight on my terms. You’re not going to point out me any respect? Then I don’t feel I’m obligated to interrupt my back for a corporation that doesn’t respect me.”
Hooker hasn’t fought since defeating Mateusz Gamrot by split decision at UFC 305 last yr. As of this writing, Hooker is listed at No. 6 within the lightweight rankings, behind Gaethje, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
The UFC hasn’t responded to Hooker’s claims, and the UFC Perth headliner hasn’t been revealed. UFC Perth is scheduled for September twenty seventh.
Dan Hooker brutally honest on potential Max Holloway showdown after UFC 318
After Holloway defeated Poirier at UFC 318, Jon Anik made the case for Hooker to face Holloway for the subsequent BMF title fight. But Hooker claims he’s one win away from making the case for a pay-per-view showdown with the likes of Holloway or the present lightweight champ, Ilia Topuria.
Holloway seems focused on a possible clash with former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira for his next BMF title defense. Holloway and Oliveira battled earlier of their careers at featherweight, with Holloway earning a TKO win after Oliveira suffered an injury in the primary round.
Holloway is targeting a return by the top of the yr, and a clash with either Hooker or Oliveira could make sense for all parties.