Learn more about Dan Hooker's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- Has fought from heavyweight to featherweight
- 12 UFC fights at lightweight (8-4)
- Pro since 2009
- Seven wins by submission (2 RNC, armbar, 3 guillotine, triangle), 10 by KO
- Twelve first round finishes
- Has won eight of his last 12
- Origin of nickname: “I love finishing the fight with chokes; give me half a chance to sink one in and I’ll jump on it.”
UFC History
UFC 267 (10/30/21) Hooker was submitted by Islam Makhachev via kimura at 2:25 of the first round
UFC 266 (9/25/21) Hooker won a three round unanimous decision over Nasrat Haqparast
UFC 257 (1/24/21) Hooker was stopped by Michael Chandler via strikes at 2:30 of the first round
UFC on ESPN (6/27/20) Hooker lost a five round unanimous decision to Dustin Poirier
UFC Fight Night (2/23/20) Hooker won a five round split decision over Paul Felder
UFC 243 (10/6/19) Hooker won a three round unanimous decision over Al Iaquinta
UFC on ESPN (7/20/19) Hooker knocked out James Vick at 2:33 of the first round
UFC on FOX (12/15/18) Hooker was knocked out by Edson Barboza at 2:19 of the third round
UFC 226 (7/7/18) Hooker knocked out Gilbert Burns at 2:28 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (4/21/18) Hooker knocked out Jim Miller at 3:00 of the first round
UFC 219 (12/30/17) Hooker submitted Marc Diakiese via guillotine choke at :42 of the third round
UFC Fight Night (6/11/17) Hooker knocked out Ross Pearson at 3:02 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (11/27/16) Hooker lost a three round unanimous decision to Jason Knight
UFC Fight Night (3/20/16) Hooker submitted Mark Eddiva via guillotine choke at 1:24 of the first round
UFC 192 (10/3/15) Hooker lost a three round unanimous decision to Yair Rodriguez
UFC Fight Night (5/10/15) Hooker knocked out Hatsu Hioki at 4:13 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (9/20/14) Hooker lost a three round unanimous decision to Maximo Blanco
UFC Fight Night (6/28/14) Hooker stopped Ian Entwistle via strikes at 3:34 of the first round
Q&A
TRAINING: Training 7 days a week at City Kickboxing. Equal mix of striking, wrestling and BJJ.
When and why did you start training for fighting? After watching a friend level some guy and the crowd went nuts. I love the sport and training, but I got into this game to compete and be the best.
What ranks and titles have you held? Australian Fighting Championship LW Title, Supremacy New Zealand LW Champion, King In The Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Champion, WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion, BJJ purple belt
Do you have any heroes? NZ’s greatest champions, guys like Mark Hunt, Jason Suttie, Jordan Tai, my coach Aaron Boyes.
What was your job before you started fighting? Doorman in Auckland CBD
Favorite Striking technique: Body Shots
