Dan Hooker Ready to Shatter Dreams of Upcoming Talents After Accepting Role in Lightweight Roster

UFC veteran Dan Hooker talks about his new role in the lightweight division following his recent loss to Arman Tsarukyan.

Dan Hooker Ready to Shatter Dreams of Upcoming Talents After Accepting Role in Lightweight Roster

Dan Hooker talks about being the next gatekeeper (via X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

The UFC lightweight division experienced dramatic shifts in 2025, featuring a newly crowned champion and surging contenders. Fresh rivalries and unpredictable stylistic clashes have kept audiences invested throughout the year. Among these rising narratives, Dan Hooker is ready to begin the new year embracing an important role. 

Dan Hooker is one of the division’s most entertaining veterans, consistently showcasing remarkable toughness and thrilling performances against elite lightweights. His career features numerous unforgettable wars, earning admiration for the unmatched durability and relentless spirit displayed throughout many high-profile battles.

However, his recent UFC Qatar loss to contender Arman Tsarukyan by submission ended a strong winning streak and halted his momentum. Accepting this setback, Hooker has stepped back from title ambitions and remains committed to embracing a new gatekeeper role. 

That’s what I want, these hungry guys that want to be champion, and I just go out there and ruin everything he’s doing. Damage years of his life and put some hurt on him. Just ruin his hopes and dreams. That’s my plan.

Dan Hooker via SportsNewsAUS

Before facing Tsarukyan, Dan Hooker confidently believed a big win could secure him a future title opportunity within the division. He even expressed openness to competing for the exciting BMF title, although circumstances ultimately prevented that possibility from materializing.

Following his ninth UFC loss, many now question whether the 35-year-old veteran can realistically capture the undisputed championship moving forward. Throughout UFC history, gatekeepers like Donald Cerrone, Neil Magny, and Derek Brunson consistently tested rising contenders aiming for championship opportunities.

These veterans halted surging prospects regularly, offering tough stylistic tests that built experience and influenced divisional rankings for developing fighters. The lightweight division is the most stacked and competitive in UFC’s history, and for Hooker, it’s a great opportunity to be part of several potential wars. 

On top of his violent fighting style, the Kiwi fighter also has an entertaining personality and often gets involved in trash-talking. Dan Hooker is currently scheduled for a co-main event bout at UFC 325 against Benoit Saint-Denis in Sydney. It will be interesting to see whether the fighter can do his first job as the new gatekeeper of the lightweight division.

Dan Hooker talks about the current lightweight situation 

The lightweight division experienced major turbulence after new champion Ilia Topuria stepped away temporarily from competition due to personal reasons. UFC leadership capitalized on his absence by creating an interim title bout featuring Paddy Pimblett against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324.

Dan Hooker backs Arman Tsarukyan
Dan Hooker backs Arman Tsarukyan (via X)

However, the announcement immediately received heavy criticism from fans and analysts questioning whether the matchup represented true lightweight divisional meritocracy. Many strongly believed Arman Tsarukyan was the most deserving contender and should have received an interim title opportunity.

Dana White countered this perspective by insisting the Armenian still needed additional accomplishments before earning another chance at the championship. Amid ongoing debate, Dan Hooker addressed the situation publicly and offered analysis regarding Tsarukyan’s evolving position within the lightweight landscape.

There’s a reason Ilia doesn’t really want to get in the octagon with him. Arman is a problem, and everyone in the division is kind of ducking him at the moment. Ilia is taking some time off, and then the other two don’t want to fight him.

Dan Hooker via MainEvent TV

The Kiwi fighter has often praised Tsarukyan’s overall skillset while acknowledging his rapid growth and labeling him as the division’s biggest threat. Other veterans, such as Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier have also talked in favor of Tsarukyan getting a title opportunity soon. The Armenian, however, doesn’t mind and is currently scheduled for a grappling contest with Sharaputdin Magomedov on December 30th.

Also Read: