Dan Hooker, a New Zealand mixed martial artist, is an active competitor in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He holds notable titles such as the King in the Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Champion and the WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion. As of July 4, 2023, he holds the #12 spot in the UFC lightweight rankings.
Bio/Wiki
Age-33years
Height- 1.83 m
Weight-71kg
Born-13 February 1990
Birthplace- Auckland, New Zealand
Full name- Daniel Preston Hooker
Other names-The Hangman
Profession-Mixed Martial Artist
Spouse-Isabella
Nationality-New Zealand
Division- Featherweight (2012, 2014–2016, 2022); Lightweight (2009–2013, 2017–present)
Reach- 75+1⁄2 in (192 cm)
Family
Hooker, hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, was born into a family with Māori roots (specifically, Ngāti Maniapoto). During his formative years, he engaged in rugby, participating in both codes of the sport during his schooling. After completing his education, a friend introduced him to the world of mixed martial arts.
Wife
Isabella Hooker has not disclosed much about her profession on public platforms. However, based on her Instagram account, it can be inferred that she works as a yoga instructor. She plays a significant role in supporting her husband, lightweight fighter Dan Hooker, in his fighting career, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Isabella’s support has been instrumental in helping Dan train and secure three fights in 2021.
Dan Hooker and Isabella have been acquainted for a long time and have been in a committed relationship. They tied the knot in 2016 in a private wedding ceremony held in Phuket, Thailand, with only close family members in attendance.
Dan has always expressed immense loyalty and gratitude towards his life partner. In various interviews, he has credited Isabella for making his life easier. Despite facing travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Isabella provided encouragement to Dan by sending him videos of their home while he was in quarantine for his fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 257.
Children
The couple has a daughter named Zoey Hooker, born in November 2018. Dan frequently shares pictures of his daughter on social media and has expressed his profound pride in welcoming her into the world. During times when Dan was separated from his family due to quarantine, Isabella played a crucial role in facilitating communication between him and their baby.
Career
Hooker began his professional mixed martial arts career in March 2009, marking his debut in the sport. He primarily fought in his home country of New Zealand, accumulating a record of 10-4 before joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In addition to his MMA career, Dan Hooker is a professional kickboxer, boasting a record of 9-1-3. He achieved notable victories by winning the King In The Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Championship and the WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Championship.
Hooker also ventured into submission grappling, where he holds a record of 3-2. In October 2009, he participated in the ICNZ Contender Series 1 No-Gi Submission Wrestling Tournament, securing wins against Thomas Kwok and Bass Khou through guillotine choke. He experienced a loss to Pumau Campbell based on points. Furthermore, he competed in the New Zealand 2011 No-Gi Nationals, competing in the Advanced under 77 kg / 170 lbs division. He emerged victorious in the first round against Paul Faavaoga but was defeated by LJ Stevenson in the second round.
The versatile fighter even took part in a heavyweight fight, weighing in at 86 kg / 189 lbs, against Mark Creedy, whom he knocked out in the second round. Additionally, he engaged in a heavyweight tag team kickboxing match alongside Antz Nansen.
Since 2008, Hooker has been involved in coaching MMA, initially serving as the head coach at City Kickboxing gym in Auckland. In the middle of 2018, he established his own cutting-edge gym, Combat Academy, located in Ellerslie, Auckland. The facility featured a full-sized boxing ring and an octagon, providing a top-notch training environment.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Hooker made his debut in the promotional realm by taking on fellow newcomer Ian Entwistle on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 43. In an exciting back-and-forth battle, Hooker emerged victorious with a first-round TKO.
Continuing his journey, Hooker faced Maximo Blanco on September 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 52. Unfortunately, Hooker suffered a defeat in this fight, as Blanco claimed the win via unanimous decision.
Moving into 2015, Hooker confronted Hatsu Hioki on May 10 at UFC Fight Night 65. With an impressive display, Hooker secured a knockout victory in the second round, becoming the first fighter to ever knock out Hioki in an MMA bout. This win not only marked a significant milestone but also earned Hooker his first Performance of the Night bonus.
On October 3, 2015, at UFC 192, Hooker squared off against Yair Rodríguez but ultimately lost the fight by unanimous decision.
In 2016, Hooker clashed with Mark Eddiva on March 20 at UFC Fight Night 85. Demonstrating his skills, Hooker emerged triumphant with a first-round high-elbow mounted guillotine choke.
Subsequently, on November 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 101, Hooker faced Jason Knight but fell short, losing the fight via unanimous decision.
In 2017, Hooker made the move from featherweight to lightweight and faced Ross Pearson on June 11 at UFC Fight Night 110. He trained locally at City Kickboxing in Newton, Auckland. Hooker secured a second-round knockout, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus.
Later, on December 30, 2017, Hooker took on Marc Diakiese at UFC 219. He claimed victory in the third round via a guillotine choke submission.
In 2018, Hooker encountered Jim Miller on April 21 at UFC Fight Night 128. He won the fight with a first-round knockout.
On July 7, 2018, at UFC 226, Hooker faced Gilbert Burns and emerged victorious with a first-round knockout.
Another significant bout awaited Hooker on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31, where he fought against Edson Barboza. Unfortunately, Hooker suffered a TKO loss in this fight.
Continuing into 2019, Hooker faced James Vick on July 20 at UFC on ESPN 4. He secured a first-round knockout, earning the Performance of the Night bonus.
On October 6, 2019, at UFC 243, Hooker faced Al Iaquinta and emerged triumphant with a unanimous decision victory.
In 2020, Hooker engaged in a highly debated fight with Paul Felder on February 23 at UFC Fight Night. Despite media members scoring the fight in favor of Felder, Hooker was awarded a controversial split decision victory, earning the Fight of the Night bonus.
On June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN, Hooker faced Dustin Poirier in a memorable bout that ended with Hooker losing via unanimous decision. This fight was recognized as the Fight of the Night due to its intense and bloody exchanges.
Moving into 2021, Hooker encountered Michael Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion, at UFC 257 on January 24. Unfortunately, Hooker suffered a first-round technical knockout loss. Initially, Hooker hinted at retirement by placing his gloves in the octagon but later clarified that he would continue competing.
On September 25, 2021, at UFC 266, Hooker faced Nasrat Haqparast and emerged victorious with a unanimous decision win.
As a short-notice replacement for Rafael Dos Anjos, Hooker faced Islam Makhachev at UFC 267. He suffered a first-round submission loss due to a kimura.
In 2022, Hooker battled Arnold Allen on March 19 at UFC Fight Night 204 but was defeated via first-round technical knockout.
On November 12, 2022, at UFC 281, Hooker fought against Claudio Puelles, securing a second-round technical knockout victory. Looking ahead to 2023, Hooker was initially scheduled to face Jalin Turner on March 4 at UFC 285. However, he had to withdraw due to a hand injury, and Mateusz Gamrot replaced him.
Currently, Hooker is set to face Jalin Turner on July 8, 2023, at UFC 290. At the weigh-ins, Turner missed weight, resulting in the bout proceeding as a catchweight. Turner was fined 20% of his fight purse, which went to Hooker.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts achievements:
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- Received Performance of the Night three times against Hatsu Hioki, Ross Pearson, and James Vick.
- Earned Fight of the Night honors twice in battles against Paul Felder and Dustin Poirier.
- Australian Fighting Championship (AFC)
- Held the AFC Lightweight Championship once.
- Successfully defended the title two times.
- Supremacy Fighting Championships
- Secured the New Zealand Lightweight Championship.
- MMAJunkie.com
- Recognized for the May 2015 Knockout of the Month against Hatsu Hioki.
- Acknowledged for the February 2020 Fight of the Month against Paul Felder.
- Acknowledged for the June 2020 Fight of the Month against Dustin Poirier.
Kickboxing accomplishments:
- World Kickboxing Federation (WKBF)
- Attained the WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Championship.
- King in the Ring
- Conquered the King in the Ring Middleweight Championship.
Mixed Martial Arts Record
Breakdown of professional record:
Out of 35 matches, there have been 23 victories and 12 defeats.
Of the 23 wins, 11 were achieved by knockout and 7 by submission.
Additionally, 5 wins were determined by decision, while 3 losses occurred by knockout and 3 by submission.
Net Worth 2023
As of 2023, Dan Hooker boasts a net worth of approximately $2 million, positioning him as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world of MMA.
Latest News About Dan Hooker
Dan Hooker didn’t walk away unharmed from UFC 290, despite his victory over Jalin Turner. During his in-cage interview, when asked about a potential broken right arm, Hooker brushed it off as a minor scratch with a smile. However, later on, he shared an X-ray revealing a clearly broken bone. Hooker, unable to speak about the injury, was taken to a nearby hospital instead of speaking to reporters. Despite the injury, this win marks his second consecutive victory, following his TKO win against Claudio Puelles in November.
