Dan Hooker has always answered when the UFC called, but after nearly a decade of loyalty and sacrifice inside the Octagon, “The Hangman” is choosing to prioritize himself and for good reason.
The lightweight contender, known for his wars against elite names like Dustin Poirier and Paul Felder, had been eyeing a comeback on the UFC Perth card set for Sept. 28. Despite still recovering from hand surgery he underwent in March, Hooker was willing to step back into action early, just to put on a show for the fans. That changed drastically during UFC 317 fight week in Las Vegas.
Hooker had flown out to support his City Kickboxing teammate Kai Kara-France, who was set to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title. However, things took a turn when the UFC revoked his tickets.
“They tried to get me out of bed at 7:30 in the morning, UFC booked me for some shit, which is 3:00 a.m. in New Zealand,” Hooker said on Submission Radio. “I didn’t even go out. I had an early night, but I’m not getting out of bed at three in the morning to do just about anything. I slept in and didn’t go to the UFC thing. They canceled my tickets to Kai’s fight.
“So it’s like, I’m going to rush back and fight injured for a company that’s going to cancel my tickets after I’ve traveled all the way to Las Vegas? I would’ve fought injured, but then someone at a desk crosses my name off a list.”
Hooker didn’t specify why the UFC canceled his tickets, but the move clearly left a lasting impression. The veteran fighter said the experience opened his eyes to the level of respect he feels from the organization.
“You work in the office, brother. I work in the cage,” Hooker said. “You’d think there’d be a bit more respect for guys who literally give their life. The amount of blood, sweat, and tears I’ve poured into putting on shows for this company, I thought there’d be a bit more respect there. But there’s not, which is cool. Business is business.
“We can fight on my terms then. You’re not going to show me any respect? Then I’m not going to break my back for a company that doesn’t respect me.”
Hooker hasn’t fought since edging Mateusz Gamrot via split decision at UFC 305. A scheduled showdown with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 was scrapped after Hooker suffered the hand injury that has sidelined him for much of 2025.
Now ranked No. 6 at lightweight, Hooker is targeting a return at a still-to-be-announced UFC pay-per-view in New York, typically held in November. He’s pushing for a high-stakes matchup with Arman Tsarukyan, a fight that could determine the next title challenger at 155 pounds. However, Hooker isn’t signing up for five rounds unless the pay justifies the punishment.
“Twenty grand for an extra ten minutes is the going rate,” he said. “I’m a logical thinker. In what world do I get half a million for 15 minutes, and then 20 grand extra for double the work?
“When I worked at a kitchen factory, do you think I did an eight-hour shift for a couple hundred bucks, and then doubled my work hours for just a tiny bit more? It doesn’t make sense.
‘Oh, it’s for the experience.’ Shove it up your f*cking ass, bro. I’m not working for twice as long unless you pay me twice as much. That’s how that works.”
Despite his frustrations, Hooker acknowledged that the UFC remains sharp in the business side of the fight game. With Ilia Topuria holding the lightweight belt, multiple contenders,, including Hooker, Gaethje, Tsarukyan, and even Paddy Pimblett, are all circling for a shot.
“The UFC is smart as f*ck,” Hooker said. “They never back themselves into a corner where one guy is the clear No. 1 contender. Because if fans are locked in on just one name, that guy gains leverage in negotiations.
“Now they’ve got Gaethje, Arman, Paddy… all these guys who could justify a title shot. If the first guy plays hardball, they move to the second. Then the third. Then they circle back. It’s just business and the fight that makes the most dollars makes the most sense.”
As of now, the UFC has not commented on Hooker’s claims, and no headliner has been announced for UFC Perth. However,one thing is clear, Dan Hooker isn’t rushing his return for anyone.
