Dan Hooker — ‘The Hangman’ hasn’t had a fight since August 2024, owing to a plethora of injuries that have kept him out of the cage. Now, the Kiwi scrapper is preparing for a comeback fight this year, and he’d like an opponent nobody else wants to fight.<\/p>\n
Known for his exciting style, Hooker missed out on a very lucrative opportunity against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. However, it’s not Gaethje on his mind for his return fight, it’s Arman Tsarukyan, the No. 1-ranked lightweight contender whom nobody wants to fight.<\/p>\n
Tsarukyan is currently one of the highest-risk, lowest-reward fighters in the top-five, primarily because he’s fallen out of stead with the UFC since pulling out of his title fight at UFC 311 on a days’ notice. Fighters aren’t interested in Tsarukyan when names like Charles Oliveira, Max Hollloway, and Justin Gaethje surround him on the roster.<\/p>\n
Hooker, however, thinks differently…<\/p>\n
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Arman Tsarukyan has also been out of action since April last year. \/ Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Speaking on The Rock podcast, Hooker explained he’s been medically cleared to fight as early as November this year. He took the opportunity to blast Tsarukyan with insults.<\/p>\n
“I’m cleared to fight in November,” Hooker remarked. “. . . I want that Arman [Tsarukyan fight], I think he’s a scumbag monobrow loser… and I’ll cave his face right in. That’s on the cards, there’s not a single other fighter in the top five, or anyone ranked between me and him [available to fight]. . . . He’s the number one contender no one gives a flying f— about.”<\/p>\n
If Hooker gets his wish, there will no longer be a clear no.1 contender for Ilia Topuria’s lightweight belt. A win for either man still doesn’t guarantee a title fight given their relative inactivity. <\/p>\n
It would be another ‘everything to lose vs. everything to gain’ type of fight, like Hooker vs. Mateusz Gamrot.<\/p>\n
‘The Hangman’ has proven very successful at upsetting the oddsmakers, evidenced by his battles with Gamrot and Jalin Turner. Tsarukyan, on paper, is an easier matchup than Gamrot.<\/p>\n
However, a matchup with Hooker is Tsarukyan’s best shot at putting himself back in title contention, since he is stylistically the most favorable matchup in the top ranks.<\/p>\n
Tsarukyan lashed out at Hooker in the aftermath of UFC 317 in June, remarking, “On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a b—-. Just thought that needed to be said.”<\/p>\n
On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a bitch. Just thought that needed to be said.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Hooker didn’t hold back in his reply<\/a>, snapping back with, “You’re a human side note. Number one contender no one gives a f— about.”<\/p>\n Fans will have to wait and see whether Tsarukyan gets his title shot on merit, or whether he will need one more fight to secure his lightweight title shot.<\/p>\n Stick with MMAKnockout<\/a> for more FREE coverage of the UFC, MMA, Boxing. Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n