Tag: Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker: Dariush Is The Best Lightweight With The Worst Marketability

Dan Hooker believes Beneil Dariush is the most technically gifted UFC lightweight, but also, the most lacking in mainstream appeal.

Widely regarded as the toughest in the UFC, the 155-pound division has long overflowed with talent. Khabib Nurmagome…

Dan Hooker Dariush

Dan Hooker believes Beneil Dariush is the most technically gifted UFC lightweight, but also, the most lacking in mainstream appeal.

Widely regarded as the toughest in the UFC, the 155-pound division has long overflowed with talent. Khabib Nurmagomedov may have retired, but with the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje still vying for the belt, the division remains a veritable meat grinder of competition.

Add to those names surging contender and Khabib protégé Islam Makhachev, ascending to the top of the lightweight heap is now, as it has been for some time, one of the toughest feats in MMA. 

In defeating Hooker at UFC 267, Makhachev appears to have bridged the gap from relative obscurity to mainstream recognition—being spoken of by many as an inevitable champion. For years, the unassuming Dagestani worked his way up the ranks, and only this year has become a household name. Lacking the charisma of Khabib, Islam has no doubt benefited from the former lightweight champ’s presence in his corner, and the star power he wields.

Dan Hooker Makhachev
PHOTO: GETTY

The Blessing And Curse Of Being Beneil Dariush—According To Dan Hooker

Like Makhachev, Dariush has quietly plied his trade in the lightweight division, going on a seven-fight win streak which in May culminated in a dominant unanimous decision victory over crowd favorite Tony Ferguson.

During this unbeaten streak, Dariush has earned three Performance of the Night awards, and one for Fight of the Night. But despite that, and claiming the scalp of someone with the star power of Ferguson, it appears to have done little for Dariush’s mainstream popularity, even while catapulting him to #3 in the lightweight rankings.

Beneil Dariush Fergson
Beneil Dariush comes agonizingly close to submitting Tony Ferguson during their UFC 262 bout in May

For a man like Hooker, who has become a fan favorite and still remains a force within the division despite losing three of his last four fights, the concept of marketability is one he knows well.

Speaking to The Mac Life, the New Zealander gave his frank assessment of Dariush, saying that the American is the best UFC lightweight technically. Considering the talent-stacked division in which they both compete, it’s a flattering compliment to say the least. However, a back-handed one, given Hooker’s appraisal of Beneil’s ability, or lack thereof, to sell a fight (h/t MiddleEasy).

“Beneil is like the worst in the best way,” said Hooker. “In my personal opinion, Beneil Dariush is the best, technically, in the top five. That’s my personal opinion. Top five to champion, I feel like Beneil Dariush is the best, with like the least—because he’s the nicest guy in the world—the least marketability, and the least ability to sell a fight.”

What do you think? Do you agree with Dan Hooker’s assessment of Beneil Dariush?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: Dariush Is The Best Lightweight With The Worst Marketability at MMA News.

Dan Hooker On UFC 267 Stoppage: “Let It Break”

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has spoken about his loss to surging contender Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, and given his take on the first-round stoppage.

Just days out from his victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, which saw him rebound from prior …

Dan Hooker, UFC 267: Makhachev vs. Hooker

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has spoken about his loss to surging contender Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, and given his take on the first-round stoppage.

Just days out from his victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266, which saw him rebound from prior defeats to Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler, Hooker signed on for another fight scheduled for just a month later. After Rafael dos Anjos withdrew from his bout with Makhachev due to a recent surgery, the always-game Hooker stepped in to replace him in Abu Dhabi.

Despite looking to prove the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Javier Mendez wrong, who’d essentially suggested “The Hangman” posed little threat to their man, the New Zealander’s night was over in two minutes and 25 seconds. The Dagestani secured a first-round submission victory after locking in a brutal kimura.

What did Hooker say to trigger the ref stoppage?

While Makhachev surges towards a championship opportunity or title eliminator, Hooker has been left to ponder what went wrong on Fight Island. During a recent pub sit-down with The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis, the #8-ranked lightweight discussed his third defeat in four fights.

According to Hooker, the fight-ending submission came after he made multiple mistakes that shouldn’t have happened. Despite Makhachev’s clinical grappling performance, “The Hangman” suggested the majority of factors that led to the result came through his own errors, rather than the Dagestani’s supreme grappling.

“What happened, happened. That whole thing’s pretty self-explanatory… I wouldn’t say (I made) one little mistake, it was a series of mistakes… mistakes that, just shouldn’t have been made and that’s completely on me. I’m the one that has to bare the brunt of that, which I will.

“I would just say he’s super patient. He got the takedown, which was obviously my bad, secured the takedown; my bad again. That’s two of the many mistakes. But yeah, he was just quite comfortable waiting there. Again, (I) tried to force it a little bit too much, like, getting back up… I wasn’t comfortable just sitting there and staying there for the next three minutes.”

“I thought I’d said it in my head.”

– Dan Hooker

In the immediate aftermath of the kimura, Hooker appeared confused and agitated at the referee. The 31-year-old has now hilariously admitted that the referee stepped in after he accidentally shouted “Ah fuck,” something he believed he’d only said in his head at the time. After his initial complaints, Hooker revealed he told the referee that he should have let his arm break.

“I thought I’d said it in my head. To be honest I haven’t even gone back and watched the fight. He had my arm wrapped up and I said, I thought I said in my head, I said, ‘Ah fuck!’ [LAUGHS] I thought I said it in my head but obviously, I’ll have to go back and watch it, because obviously I said it out loud… That’s why, I though I’d said it in my head, so initially when the ref starts breaking it up I was like, ‘What? Let it break,’ you know what I mean?”

Having failed to continue the momentum he gained after returning to the win column against Haqparast in September, Hooker will now look to rebound once again when he returns to action in 2022.

What do you make of Dan Hooker’s comments regarding his UFC 267 stoppage?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker On UFC 267 Stoppage: “Let It Break” at MMA News.

Hooker Suggests He’s Wiping His Tears With Cash After UFC 267 Payday

Despite falling to a first-round submission loss at the hands of Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Dan Hooker on Halloween weekend.

On Saturday, Hooker secured himself a bag that wasn’t even on the table just over a month…

Dan Hooker, Islam Makhachev

Despite falling to a first-round submission loss at the hands of Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Dan Hooker on Halloween weekend.

On Saturday, Hooker secured himself a bag that wasn’t even on the table just over a month ago. After returning to the win column with an intelligent decision victory over Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 in September, “The Hangman” found himself signing another bout agreement just days later, this time against the surging #5-ranked contender.

After former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos withdrew from his scheduled clash against Makhachev, Hooker stepped in on short notice. The narrative ahead of the fight surrounded the belief among the Dagestani’s camp that the New Zealander barely had a chance. Believing he knew something that they didn’t, Hooker repeatedly implied he’d shock the world in Abu Dhabi.

Ultimately, Makhachev’s pressure and skill on the ground proved too much for Hooker. In the opening round, he was taken down and submitted with a brutal kimura. While Makhachev pursues a title shot or title eliminator, Hooker will be looking to rebound yet again in his next outing.

Hooker Previously Denied Taking The Fight For The Paycheck

Ahead of the main card clash, many had suggested Hooker’s reason for accepting the short-notice bout was money-motivated. Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz claimed the #6-ranked lightweight was showing up simply for the payday. After Hooker requested the fight be changed to five rounds, Makhachev chimed in, suggesting the New Zealander’s desire for a 25-minute distance was rooted out of his search for a bigger paycheck.

“Honestly, I think Hooker come to Abu Dhabi just for make money,” Makhachev said in an interview with BT Sport. “That’s why he ask about five rounds, because he know. Some fighters, they give five rounds, they paid more money. I think before, when he took this fight, he asked about more money, too. He say, ‘I’m gonna fight this one, but you guys just have to pay me more.’ He come to Abu Dhabi just (to) do good business, you know?”

Having previously claimed he never fights purely for the remuneration, Hooker has seemingly admitted that it’s provided some consolation for his disappointing defeat inside Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. In a tweet that was deleted shortly after, Hooker posted the following GIF of actor Woody Harrelson wiping his tears with a stack of bills.

Woody Harrelson Crying GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

While it’s likely Hooker was simply jesting about the pre-event narrative surrounding his decision to step-up to face the surging Russian, the paycheck he likely received certainly must have helped him cope with his third defeat in four outings.

Who would you like to see Dan Hooker face next?

Continue Reading Hooker Suggests He’s Wiping His Tears With Cash After UFC 267 Payday at MMA News.

Islam Makhachev Stops Dan Hooker With First Round Kimura – UFC 267 Highlights

Islam MakhachevIt’s eight straight wins for American Kickboxing Academy mainstay, Islam Makhachev — who stops the #6 ranked, Dan Hooker with a brutal opening round kimura with less than three minutes on the Octagon clock on the main card of UFC 267. Circling around the striking of Hooker in the opening minute, Makhachev managed to score […]

Islam Makhachev

It’s eight straight wins for American Kickboxing Academy mainstay, Islam Makhachev — who stops the #6 ranked, Dan Hooker with a brutal opening round kimura with less than three minutes on the Octagon clock on the main card of UFC 267.

Circling around the striking of Hooker in the opening minute, Makhachev managed to score a quickfire takedown, landing Hooker against the Octagon fence right beside his teammate and former undisputed lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Islam Makhachev stops Dan Hooker with spectacular first round kimura

Patiently triangulating his legs around Hooker’s, Makhachev passed to side-control, and eventually locked up a taut kimura, forcing Hooker to eventually give up the ghost in his short notice turnaround.

Below, catch Makhachev’s kimura victory over Hooker.

Dan Hooker Excited To Make His Fans Money By Beating Makhachev

Dan Hooker doesn’t care he’s the betting underdog in his UFC 267 fight against Islam Makhachev.

After Hooker returned to the win column at UFC 266 with a decision win over Nasrat Haqparast, the Kiwi stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev. It’…

Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker doesn’t care he’s the betting underdog in his UFC 267 fight against Islam Makhachev.

After Hooker returned to the win column at UFC 266 with a decision win over Nasrat Haqparast, the Kiwi stepped up on short notice to face Makhachev. It’s an intriguing matchup but the oddsmakers don’t expect it to be a close one as the Russian is a massive -650 favorite while Hooker is a +460 underdog.

Meaning, you would need to bet $650 to win $100 if you like Makhachev. If you like Hooker, a $100 bet would net you $460, so with that, “The Hangman” is excited to make his supporters a lot of money.

“I think it’s great. I don’t want to say anything that’s going to change that betting line too much. The boys are going to make some money,” Hooker told the South China Morning Post. “This is [Makhachev’s] party, I’m just there to spoil it.”

Islam Makhachev, Dan Hooker
Islam Makhachev, Dan Hooker (Image Credits: Mike Lawrie/Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)

It would be a massive upset if Hooker does get the win as many have pegged Makhachev as a future champion. The oddsmakers also don’t expect this fight to be close, but Hooker is confident he has the skills to be able to surprise money and pull off the upset.

If Dan Hooker does pull off the upset, he would be in line to face a top contender next. Some think if Makhachev wins he may get the next title shot, so for Hooker, the hope is, is with a win, he’s fighting in a number one contender bout in his next appearance. Yet, in order for that to happen, he will need to pull off the upset this weekend.

UFC 267 goes down on Saturday, October 30, on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. Be sure to stay locked to MMANews for all the latest news and results for the stacked card.

Do you think Dan Hooker will beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 267?

Continue Reading Dan Hooker Excited To Make His Fans Money By Beating Makhachev at MMA News.

Michael Chandler Explains Why He Picks Hooker To Upset Makhachev

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler has given his prediction for his former opponent Dan Hooker’s upcoming clash with Islam Makhachev.

On short notice, Hooker will be facing Makhachev on the main card of UFC 267 this weekend. T…

Michael Chandler, UFC 267: Hooker vs. Makhachev

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler has given his prediction for his former opponent Dan Hooker’s upcoming clash with Islam Makhachev.

On short notice, Hooker will be facing Makhachev on the main card of UFC 267 this weekend. The Dagestani was originally set to face bitter rival Rafael dos Anjos at the Abu Dhabi-held event. For the third time since last October, that matchup collapsed in the build-up. Following surgery, the Brazilian was forced to pull out and, should Makhachev secure a victory on Saturday, will likely be moving onto different things when he returns to action.

For Hooker, this will mark his second Octagon outing in just over a month. “The Hangman” rebounded from back-to-back setbacks against Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler with a mature performance against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266. Just days later, the New Zealander found himself signing another bout agreement, this time against the #5-ranked lightweight, and the heir apparent to the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Chandler Backs His Former Opponent

Having risen to #6 in the 155-pound top 15, Hooker will be looking to stake his claim for a title shot with an impressive performance against the surging Makhachev on Saturday’s main card. But many have doubted his ability to handle the Dagestani. Along with AKA head coach Javier Mendez, Khabib, Makhachev’s friend and teammate, believes a “lucky punch” is the only way his man falls short against the New Zealander.

While Hooker himself has disputed those claims, top-five lightweight Michael Chandler has also expressed his disagreement with that assessment. “Iron,” who faced and defeated “The Hangman” in his UFC debut earlier this year, recently explained why he’s backing the underdog to have his hand raised.

During an interview with The Schmo, Chandler denied the idea that his first-round win against Hooker showed any sort of weakness in the 31-year-old’s toughness or chin. But not only does he not see a path to a finish for Makhachev, but the former Bellator Lightweight Champion believes Hooker will use his length to keep the Russian at distance and defend against his attempts to control the action on the cage.

“Man, I think Dan Hooker is one of the toughest guys in the division, one of the toughest chins in the division, and I think this is a fight game in which we fight in four-ounce gloves, man. You can get caught on the chin by anybody on any night and it’s over. So the fact that I was able to finish him in the first two and a half minutes is not indicative of him not having a great chin, not being able to push the pace. He’s extremely long. He’s extremely versatile. He uses that length. I think Makachev is gonna have a tough time getting in and closing the distance on Dan Hooker. Even if he does get him on the cage, I think Dan Hooker’s cage defense—as we saw in Poirier fight, as we saw in his last fight, both offense and defense off of the cage control—he’s really skilled there. So I do think Dan Hooker wins that fight. I do.”

Having suggested he’d rather outclass his opponent across three rounds and secure a dominant decision, Hooker will be happy to hear Chandler predicting him to do just that.

Do you agree with Michael Chandler’s prediction? Can Hooker defeat Makhachev at UFC 267?

Continue Reading Michael Chandler Explains Why He Picks Hooker To Upset Makhachev at MMA News.