UFC Fan Favorite than Hooker was almost registered to head UFC Perth before the recent events followed.
UFC lightweight competition than Hooker is one of the most exciting fighters in the division. During his career, Hooker Vecht fans treated some of the wildest firefights in the UFC history, including his legendary 2020 battle with Dustin Poirier.
But almost eight months in 2025, and Hooker stays without a booking while approaching a lightweight title shot. He was supposed to combat Justin Gaethje on UFC 313 before he withdrew because of a hand injury.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Dan Hooker admits to a tense relationship with UFC via UFC 317 Incident
Since UFC 313, Hooker has continued to recover from his extensive hand surgery while turning a return to the octagon. But after a recent incident during the 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 tense relationship with the UFC buyer.
“It would be clear that it would have been cool to fight in Perth and go back to Perth, head with Arman [Tsarukyan]But that is eight weeks … would have had a hurry to be hand and ready by that time, “Hooker started.” But I would still do it just because I wanted to do it for the fans. I would get back and fought when the hand was not ready and still recovered a little.
'And then I went to look [Kai Kara-France’s] Vecht, and they tried to get me out of bed at 7.30 am, the UFC booked me for a few S ***. That is 3:00 am New -Zeeland Time. I didn't even go out, I had an early night, but I don't get out of bed at 3 o'clock in the morning to almost do something … Did not go to the UFC, and they have canceled my tickets [UFC 317]. “
Hooker then revealed the status of his relationship with the UFC buyer and hinted that it is at a low point.
“So I'm going to hurry and fight, for a company that will cancel my tickets for the event when I traveled all the way to Las Vegas? I would have fought [in Perth]Injured, but then someone at a desk exceeded my name from a list. You work in the office … you would think there would be more respect for guys who literally give their lives, “Hooker said.
“The amount of blood, sweat and tears that I have deposited to put shows for their company, I thought there would have been a little more respect. But that is not, what is cool, things are things. We can then fight on my conditions! You wanted me to fight in Perth, but we can fight against my conditions. You are not going to give me a respect?
Hooker has not fought anymore since Mateusz Gamrot's beating through a split decision on UFC 305 last year. At the moment Hooker is number 6 in the lightweight rankings, behind Gaethje, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
The UFC did not respond to Hooker's claims and the UFC Perth headliner has not been revealed. UFC Perth is planned for September 27.
Dan hooker brutal honest on potential Max Holloway showdown after UFC 318
After Holloway Poirier defeated UFC 318, Jon Anik made the business for Hooker to prevent Holloway for the next BMF title fight. But Hooker claims that he has been removed from making the business for a pay-per-view showdown with people like Holloway or the current lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria.
Holloway seems aimed at a potential collision with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for his next BMF title defense. Holloway and Oliveira fought earlier in their career in featherweight, with Holloway winning a TKO victory after Oliveira sustained an injury in the first round.
Holloway focuses on a return to the end of the year, and a collision with Hooker or Oliveira can be logical for all parties.