Dan Hooker, one of the most popular fighters in the UFC, continues to cement his reputation as a fierce competitor. Following a challenging period in his career, the Kiwi star is back in the spotlight after his split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 on Aug. 18, last year.
Hooker’s ability to fend off Gamrot’s wrestling and land punishing strikes earned him the win in a bloody, back-and-forth war that secured yet another 'Fight of the Night' honor.
This victory is considered one of Hooker’s greatest, showcasing his grit and determination. The fight mirrored some of his career highlights, such as his epic bouts against Paul Felder in Auckland and Dustin Poirier in Las Vegas—wars that demonstrated his unrelenting spirit and willingness to push limits.
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Hooker’s relentless fighting style has drawn praise from figures like Joe Rogan and teammate Israel Adesanya, who have called him a "psycho" for his killer instinct in the cage. In a recent interview with Dom Harvey, Hooker shared his thoughts on the label:
"I used to think like growing up or even fighting in the UFC like I thought that that's the way that everyone thought, I thought everyone was like, had that Killer Instinct and as competitive and stuff like that and like that willing to to push the boundaries. But yeah like it's quite funny, when you get to the top of the world and you realize there's only like a handful of guys like that. It's cool when you run into them like Dustin Poirier is one, like you realize, Paul Felder is another one. There is like a handful of out there."
Check out Dan Hooker's comment below (10:40):
Dan Hooker vs. Justin Gaethje set for UFC 313 co-main event
The co-main event for UFC 313 on March 8 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has been confirmed to be an exciting lightweight matchup between Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker. The announcement was made by the UFC during the broadcast of UFC 311.
Gaethje (25-5) has 13 post-fight bonuses in as many UFC bouts and is renowned for his explosive style. Hooker (24-12), who recently upset Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, comes into the fight on a three-fight winning streak.