This mad Kiwi has a history of taking fights no-one else wants. He’s doing it again this weekend
Dan Hooker concedes that he may have gotten a bit carried away after saying fight fans were going to see “the first decapitation in UFC history” when he clashes with Arman Tsarukyan this weekend — but only just a bit.
The remark was classic Hooker – dark, over the top, and a reminder that the Kiwi scrapper is going to make his showdown at UFC Fight Night 265 as violent as humanly possible.
Hooker has made a career out of taking the fights that others do everything to avoid, and this one fits the bill.
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In 2021, he packed a bag and jumped on a plane to Abu Dhabi on short notice to take on Islam Makhachev — someone who was being avoided at all costs.
Before that, “Hangman” was putting his hand up for the division’s scariest blokes – Edson Barboza, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler.
So, when most of the lightweight division tip-toed around hyped-up Arman Tsarukyan, Hooker signed up immediately.
Dan Hooker is taking on powerhouse lightweight Arman TsarukyanSource: Getty Images
Tsarukyan, who has elite wrestling, a suffocating pace and is the No.1 ranked lightweight contender, has been touted as the next big thing.
Hooker loves those terms. He believes a statement victory will not only turn the rankings on their head, but also give him a shot at UFC gold.
“That’s what the boss [Dana White] said,” he told Fox Sports Australia from Qatar on Wednesday.
“It came from the horse’s mouth.
“Nothing in this sport is guaranteed, but that’s why I wanted this fight.”
Maybe it isn’t the safest decision, or maybe it’s the masterstroke that changes everything. The stakes couldn’t be much higher.
Either way, it’s going to be violent.
“I did say it would be the first decapitation in UFC history,” laughed Hooker.
“I said I would kick his head clean off his shoulders and they will have to sew it back on afterwards.
“I was getting a bit fired up.”
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Hooker knows he has a tough hill to climb. He’s had a long layoff and is fighting one of the toughest operators in the promotion.
That’s why he’s cut one of his favourite drinks out of his diet completely.
“I’ve knocked the beers on the head for this training camp,” he grinned.
“I should be getting a medal upon arrival back in New Zealand.”
But it wouldn’t be a “Hangman” fight camp without at least one crazy story. This time, he had a front tooth smashed in during sparring – and in true Hooker fashion, he wasn’t wearing a mouthguard.
“I found my mouthguard [after a year] that morning, but it was still covered in blood from the Gamrot fight, so I was not going to put it in without washing it first,” he said
“And that day I smashed my front tooth.”
“The missus wasn’t too happy. She said ‘now you look how you sound’”.
Dan Hooker of Australia speaks to media during the UFC 243 Ultimate Media Day at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Friday, October 4, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVINGSource: AAP
Tsarukyan’s fans believe the script for Sunday’s showdown has already been written: relentless pressure, world-class wrestling, and Hooker slowly falling apart – a bit like Jack Della Maddalena did last weekend.
Hooker’s not buying it.
He’s made a career out of ugly, grinding wars in the UFC and believes his striking advantage will eventually “tear Tsarukyan apart”.
The lead-up to the fight has carried a serious edge, with the Kiwi calling Tsarukyan “a spoiled rich kid” and saying he can’t wait to hit him. Tsarukyan has fired his own shots on social media.
Asked why he doesn’t like his rival, Hooker didn’t beat around the bush.
“I don’t really like anyone, if we’re being honest,” he said.
“It’s competitive to a point. When he first got in the UFC he started chiming at me. He was saying I was avoiding him and ducking him…
“So I went out of my way to track this fight down.”
Now, Hooker says the time for talking is nearly over.
“I’m set to go,” he said.
“I’ve just got to hop on the scales and then kick Arman in the head.
“That’s the plan.”
And how he plans on celebrating afterwards? Simple.
“There’s an Irish bar downstairs that I’ve been eyeing up. It serves my favourite food.
“Beer.”
