Tag: Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin

Dan Hooker recently noted that Sean O’Malley is expertly playing mind games with Merab Dvalishvili in the build-up to their Noche UFC 306 clash. “Sugar” is slated for his second UFC bantamweight title defense, where he’ll square off against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of the highly anticipated pay-per-view event, set for this Saturday at […]

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin at MMA News.

Dan Hooker recently noted that Sean O’Malley is expertly playing mind games with Merab Dvalishvili in the build-up to their Noche UFC 306 clash.

“Sugar” is slated for his second UFC bantamweight title defense, where he’ll square off against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of the highly anticipated pay-per-view event, set for this Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

O’Malley claimed the 135-pound title with a knockout victory over Dvalishvili’s teammate and close ally, Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 292 in August 2023. He went on to defend his belt in dazzling style against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, putting on a striking masterclass for the full 25 minutes to avenge the lone blemish on his UFC record.

The 29-year-old Montana native has consistently torn through his competition with his extraordinary fighting style, as evidenced by the nine performance bonuses he’s racked up in just 12 Octagon appearances. In addition to his high-caliber skill set, O’Malley is equally adept at using his charisma and quick wit to engage in verbal sparring outside the cage.

“The Hangman” believes it’s O’Malley’s silver tongue that truly sets him apart, as he skillfully uses his sharp words to rattle his opponents, with Dvalishvili now falling into the same trap…

Hooker Predicts Dvalishvili Could Fall To O’Malley Just Like Sterling

During a recent interview with mainevent, Hooker weighed in on the upcoming O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. “The Hangman” praised the reigning champion’s ability to expertly use his reach advantage to dominate with his striking.

Drawing comparisons between “The Machine” and Sterling’s fighting styles, Hooker noted that it would be fascinating to see how Dvalishvili approaches O’Malley differently than his teammate did.

“He is incredible at controlling that distance, a sniper, an absolute sniper from range, and that’s the big thing I see in this fight—how will Merab cover that range? Because it’s a very similar style, a very similar opponent to Sean’s last one, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling and Merab have two very similar styles of wrestling; they shoot, and they’re really looking to take you down and put you on your back.”

Hooker emphasized “Sugar’s” knack for skillfully employing trash talk to unnerve his opponents in the build-up to a fight. He pointed out that this tactic worked perfectly against Sterling, causing him to make crucial mistakes that led to his defeat. The 34-year-old Auckland native also believes O’Malley is successfully getting inside Dvalishvili’s head, which could spell trouble for the Georgian fighter.

“‘Sugar’ Sean is a master at mental warfare. He was able to, you know, at the press conference, at the weigh-in, get into Aljamain Sterling’s head. So Aljamain, rather than being patient, taking his time, and setting up to cover that distance, really rushed it. He panicked and rushed. I can already sense that ‘Sugar’ is getting under Merab’s skin, and we still have so much time to go. We still have the weigh-in, the press conference, and media day. There’s still a lot of time to cover and a lot of time for ‘Sugar’ Sean to use that mental warfare.”

Continue Reading Dan Hooker: ‘Master Of Mental Warfare’ O’Malley Getting Under Dvalishvili’s Skin at MMA News.

Rafael Fiziev vs. Dan Hooker? “Fight of the Year contender”

Dan Hooker Rafael FizievRafael Fiziev is calling for a fight with Dan Hooker, and it could potentially give fans one of the…

Dan Hooker Rafael Fiziev

Rafael Fiziev is calling for a fight with Dan Hooker, and it could potentially give fans one of the most brutal bangers that we’ve had all year.

Now riding a two-fight skid, Fiziev is far from being the unstoppable hype train decimating his way up the UFC lightweight ladder that he once was. Two losses in a row don’t spell much doom on what has so far been a stellar UFC career, especially considering when they come at the hands of fighters like Justin Gaethje and Mateusz Gamrot.

Still, Rafael Fiziev is undoubtedly looking to get back to a positive trajectory, and a big win over Dan Hooker could be precisely what he needs.

Rafael Fiziev proposes a Dan Hooker fight that oozes with Barn Burner potential

“If me and Mr. Tattoo @danthehangman step into the octagon,” Fiziev began in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I guarantee it’ll be an easy Fight of the Year contender.”

Such a fight would likely be a thriller. Both fighters bring the intensity, and with Dan Hooker in the mix: any fight can turn into an all-out brawl. However, Hooker has recently spoken about his journey and voiced his wishes for rematches with fighters like Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler.

So, it will be interesting to see how the UFC’s lightweight division shakes out, and if anybody can separate themselves from the pack and prove a worthy challenger to Islam Makhachev’s throne.

Who do you think would win if Rafael Fiziev and Dan Hooker did fight?

Dan Hooker responds to Arman Tsarukyan: ‘F*ck ’em. I’ll fight him’

Dan Hooker responds to Arman Tsarukyan: 'F*ck 'em. I'll fight him'Off the back of his impressive decision win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 earlier this month, surging City…

Dan Hooker responds to Arman Tsarukyan: 'F*ck 'em. I'll fight him'

Off the back of his impressive decision win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 earlier this month, surging City Kickboxing staple, Dan Hooker has offered to take on the current number one ranked challenger, Arman Tsarukyan — with the Armenian eyeing a potential interim title fight before the end of the year.

Hooker, the current number five ranked divisional contender, most recently extended his winning run to three straight fights earlier this month on the main card of UFC 305, turning in a split decision win over Polish contender, Gamrot over the course of three rounds in Perth, Australia.

hooker

As for Tsarukyan, the surging number one ranked challenger featured on the main card of UFC 300 back in April, landing himself a close split decision win of his own against former undisputed lightweight championship holder, Charles Oliveira in the pair’s officially-billed title eliminator.

And while Tsarukyan has seen a targeted October rematch with current champion, Islam Makhachev fall to the wayside amid an unspecified arm injury setback for the Russian, he has welcomed the chance to compete for an interim title in December at UFC 310.

dan hooker 4

Dan Hooker eyes interim title fight with Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 310

However, amid links to a rematch with Oliveira for an interim lightweight crown, Tsarukyan has now received an offer of a showdown from Auckland striker, Hooker.

UFC 305 bonuses: Dan Hooker scoops extra $50,000 for big win over Mateusz Gamrot

“Yeah, f*ck ’em,” Dan Hooker told The AllStar. “I’ll fight him (Arman Tsarukyan), I’d love to punch that guy in the throat. December, yeah. I would never turn down a fight in my life, let alone a title fight. That’s what we all do it for. Yeah, perfect.”

I learnt that the interim title gets pay-per-view points, the BMF title gets pay-per-view points,” Dan Hooker explained. “The only reason I want the [undisputed] title is the pay-per-view points. A belt is a belt.”

Paddy Pimblett wants Dan Hooker: “The toughest route to the title.”

Paddy Pimblett wants Dan Hooker or Arman Tsarukyan: "The toughest route to the title."Paddy Pimblett likes the idea of a fight with Dan Hooker. After dropping four out of five a few…

Paddy Pimblett wants Dan Hooker or Arman Tsarukyan: "The toughest route to the title."

Paddy Pimblett likes the idea of a fight with Dan Hooker.

After dropping four out of five a few years ago, ‘The Hangman’ is back in the lightweight top five after bagging his third-straight win at UFC 305. Following a couple of solid performances against Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner, Hooker shocked everyone with a split-decision win over Mateusz Gamrot in Perth.

Dan Hooker

With a trio of noteworthy wins, Hooker finds himself back in contention. Of course, that also means the Auckland, New Zealand native now has an even bigger target on his back.

Pimblett, who recently broke into the lightweight top 15 with a first-round submission victory over King Green, likes the sound of a potential scrap with Hooker.

“Dan Hooker back in the top five, could be an interesting fight for me,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel.

Dan Hooker claims a fight with Charles Oliveira could be next

If the UFC is looking to push Pimblett up the rankings right away, a fight with Hooker certainly looks like the most attractive option, but according to ‘The Hangman,’ it sounds like Dana White and Co have bigger plans for him.

Dan Hooker

Truth be told, Hooker isn’t really concerned with who’s next and he’s more than willing to take the path of least resistance if he means getting one step closer to UFC gold.

“Yeah, they want Charles, it’s a good fight but I mean there’s heaps of cool shit I could do, the lay of the land is pretty crazy and it’s such a wild sport so we’ll see how it plays out,” Hooker told TheMACLife.

“I couldn’t care less, (I want to fight) all of them bro, even Arman bro. I said to Hunter that I’d like to fight Arman because screw it, we’ll go the toughest route to the title that I possibly can, Turner, Gamrot, Arman, Islam, I just don’t care brother” (h/t BJPenn.com).

Dan Hooker

Mateusz Gamrot Sets Sights On Next Opponent After UFC 305 Setback: ‘If The UFC Likes It…’

While he’s still reflecting on what went wrong Down Under this past weekend, UFC lightweight Mateusz Gamrot already has a next matchup in mind. Gamrot emerged from the UFC 305 pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia, $50,000 better off after playing his part in the Fight of the Night. But the Polish standout failed to secure […]

Continue Reading Mateusz Gamrot Sets Sights On Next Opponent After UFC 305 Setback: ‘If The UFC Likes It…’ at MMA News.

While he’s still reflecting on what went wrong Down Under this past weekend, UFC lightweight Mateusz Gamrot already has a next matchup in mind.

Gamrot emerged from the UFC 305 pay-per-view event in Perth, Australia, $50,000 better off after playing his part in the Fight of the Night. But the Polish standout failed to secure his main objectives — a fourth straight win and potential title shot next time out.

Those plans were stalled by Dan Hooker, who has risen up the 155-pound pecking order by six places after falling on the right side of a split decision opposite Gamrot inside the RAC Arena.

Having lost his place in the top five, “Gamer” is now out for redemption. Not for his latest defeat, though. Gamrot has another setback he wants to avenge before the year is out…

Gamrot Targets Dariush Rematch For December.

Speaking to Polsat Sport’s Pawe? Wyrobek this week, Gamrot looked ahead to his plans to return to action for one more fight in 2024.

And in his bid to immediately bounce back from his loss to Hooker, the #8-ranked lightweight wants the man directly above him in the rankings — and the man who first halted his charge toward gold back in 2022.

“I think December would be good to come back,” Gamrot said. “If the UFC likes it too, I would like to fight Beneil Dariush. It would be good time to do this. I lost first fight with him, so I think it’s good time for a rematch.”

When the interviewer suggested the winner of the upcoming Paris showdown between Benoît Saint Denis and Renato Moicano as another possible option, “Gamer” reiterated that Dariush is his firm preference.

Gamrot and Dariush shared the cage at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi. Coming off a Fight of the Night victory over current top contender Arman Tsarukyan, “Gamer” was looking to snap his veteran opponent’s lengthy losing skid to secure an opportunity at the belt.

Dariush had different plans, dropping Gamrot at one point in the fight en route to a unanimous decision verdict. The American hasn’t had his hand raised since, falling via knockout to both Charles Oliveira and Tsarukyan.

Continue Reading Mateusz Gamrot Sets Sights On Next Opponent After UFC 305 Setback: ‘If The UFC Likes It…’ at MMA News.

Dan Hooker wants to fight Conor McGregor just to troll Michael Chandler 

Dan Hooker Wants to Fight Conor McGregor Just to Troll Michael ChandlerFresh from his impressive decision win over perennial contender, Mateusz Gamrot over the course of last weekend on the…

Dan Hooker Wants to Fight Conor McGregor Just to Troll Michael Chandler

Fresh from his impressive decision win over perennial contender, Mateusz Gamrot over the course of last weekend on the main card of UFC 305, newly-minted number five ranked challenger, Dan Hooker wants to steal a fight with former two-weight best, Conor McGregor next – just to spite Michael Chandler.

Hooker, now in the midst of an impressive three-fight winning run, turned in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) victory over Polish contender, Gamrot over the course of three rounds in Perth over the course of last weekend.

10775185810

The win came as the Auckland striker’s third on the bounce, following a prior decision success over Jalin Turner, as well as a body kick knockout win over Claudio Puelles. 

Dan Hooker sounds out potential “snake” fight with Conor McGregor

And weighing up a slew of fights next – including a title-eliminator against the surging, Arman Tsarukyan next, Dan Hooker has suggested he slide into a mega fight with former two-division best, McGregor – just to stick it to former foe, Chandler.

hooker

“I didn’t necessarily call him (Conor McGregor) out, I just said that because I am an absolute troll, so it’s like the biggest troll move you could do of all-time, is to snake that fight off (Michael) Chandler,” Dan Hooker told The Mac Life. “Like, he waits all that time and then Conor just fights me anyway, like, that would be gold. Like, I would feel like the biggest snake troll of all time. I’ll get my black belt in the troll Olympics.”

Fighting former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin, Chandler in the Missouri native’s Octagon debut back in 2021, Hooker dropped a spectacular opening round knockout loss to the veteran during their title-eliminator clash on ‘Fight Island’.

dan hooker 4 1

Also weighing up a potential matchup with former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira next, Hooker alluded to the fact the promotion have already sounded out a fight for him against the Hooker off the back of his UFC 305 success.