A new rivalry heats up the UFC lightweight division
Dan Hooker prepares for a quick return this weekend at UFC 325 in Sydney.
‘The Hangman’ steps into another eye-catching fight, but his bout with Benoit Saint-Denis isn’t the only big clash at 155 pounds this January.
Hooker confronted Paddy Pimblett after some controversial comments, saying a face-to-face meeting would settle it.
After the outcome of the interim lightweight title fight last weekend, many wondered if Hooker vs. Pimblett could be next.
Hooker won’t harm himself by chasing Pimblett
The feud between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker continues. On January 24, ‘The Baddy’ suffered his first Octagon loss. Justin Gaethje defeated him over five rounds.
A fight against Hooker would give Pimblett a major comeback opportunity if the right circumstances align.
Hooker reinforced his “on site” comment on The Ariel Helwani Show, saying there would be no discussion if they met.
“What’s there to talk about? Anyone says that to me, I’ll kick your head in,” he said.
Despite the rivalry, the 23-fight UFC veteran admitted he didn’t enjoy seeing Pimblett lose and said he won’t pursue him after UFC 325.
“That’s the dumbest thing you can do,” Hooker said about chasing Pimblett. “We anger each other, but that’s always there. I had to respond so I’m not just sitting upset. He’ll take some time off, and we’ll see how it plays out. I won’t shoot myself in the foot because I’m mad.”
Hooker eyes other big lightweight fights
Hooker doesn’t want a fight with Pimblett just because of bad blood.
He suggested several other options on The Ariel Helwani Show if he wins at UFC 325.
“There are some big fights. Obviously the BMF title fight, and between me winning this fight and getting my hand raised against BSD [Benoit Saint-Denis], there’s still no one between me and Arman [Tsarukyan] who wants the fight except me. I feel bad, I like Arman now. He’s won me over as a fan,” he said.
A BMF title fight would be a major matchup for Hooker, though a clash with Pimblett in 2026 would draw huge anticipation.
