Dan Hooker

Here’s a detailed profile of Dan Hooker, the New Zealand mixed martial artist known as “The Hangman”:

Introduction

Dan “The Hangman” Hooker (born Daniel Preston Hooker on 13 February 1990) is a professional MMA fighter from New Zealand, currently competing in the Lightweight division of the UFC.

He is one of New Zealand’s most recognized MMA athletes and is known for his aggressive striking style, willingness to trade in high-paced fights, and action-oriented performances.

As of July 22, 2025, he is ranked #6 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Early Life & Background

• Hooker was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and has Māori heritage (Ngāti Maniapoto).

• Growing up, he played both codes of rugby during school. After leaving school, a friend introduced him to mixed martial arts.

• Before fully committing to MMA, Hooker was involved in kickboxing and grappling / submission work.

• In addition to being a fighter, he has also been a coach and gym owner. He founded Combat Academy in Auckland (later closed to focus more on his fighting), and has been associated with City Kickboxing.

• In 2021, he announced relocating (or planning to relocate) to the U.S., citing issues with New Zealand’s lockdown measures and visa/travel constraints, though he continues training out of Auckland.

Fighting Style & Credentials

• Hooker fights out of an orthodox stance.

• In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he holds a brown belt, under Karl Webber and Teariki Pina Simpson.

• His MMA record (as of recent) shows a mix of knockout, submission, and decision victories.

• In kickboxing, he has a record of 9 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws.

• He has won titles in kickboxing, such as King in the Ring Middleweight and WKBF X-Rules Welterweight.

MMA / UFC Career Highlights

Early MMA Career & UFC Entry

• Hooker made his pro MMA debut in 2009, fighting largely in New Zealand and regional circuits before joining UFC.

• His UFC debut was on 28 June 2014 against Ian Entwistle, winning by TKO in the first round.

Notable Fights & Achievements

• In 2015, he knocked out veteran Hatsu Hioki — becoming the first to do so in MMA — and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

• He’s been involved in several fight-of-the-night or highly acclaimed bouts:
   - vs Paul Felder (2020) — won by split decision; earned Fight of the Night.  - vs Dustin Poirier (2020) — a very gritty, back-and-forth fight; although he lost by decision, it was widely praised.

• In 2024, he defeated Mateusz Gamrot by split decision at UFC 305, earning another Fight of the Night.

• He was scheduled to face Justin Gaethje in March 2025 at UFC 313, but withdrew due to a hand injury.

• As of late, he’s matched for a fight against Arman Tsarukyan in November 2025 as a main card bout.

Awards & Recognitions

• UFC Performance of the Night bonuses multiple times (vs Hatsu Hioki, Ross Pearson, James Vick).

• UFC Fight of the Night awards in bouts like vs Felder, vs Poirier, vs Gamrot.

• Recognized for delivering thrilling fights and for being a fan favorite because he often engages in striking exchanges and is willing to fight aggressively.

Personality, Strengths & Challenges

Strengths

• Fearlessness & heart: One of Hooker’s defining traits is his willingness to engage in violent, high-risk exchanges.

• Striking potency: His knockouts and stand-up game are among his strongest assets.

• Durability & resilience: He has shown toughness in fights, recovering from losses and injuries to keep competing.

• Fan appeal & action-oriented style: His fights often draw praise for excitement, which helps boost his popularity and stock in the UFC.

Challenges & Setbacks

• Injuries: His hand injury in 2025 forced him to withdraw from a marquee fight.

• Travel / logistical constraints: His relocation plans and travel visa issues (especially during pandemic / lockdown periods) have been obstacles.

• Gym / business trade-offs: Closing his own gym (Combat Academy) implied a weighing of coaching/entrepreneurship versus focus on fighting.

Recent & Offbeat Moves

• In September 2025, Hooker held another edition of his “1-Minute Scraps” event (modified rules, striking only), which stirred controversy in New Zealand regarding regulation and legality of amateur / exhibition fighting.

• He has publicly criticized the UFC in recent months over perceived lack of respect, especially in relation to scheduling, travel, and event conditions.

Lessons & Takeaways from Dan Hooker’s Journey

1. Balancing showmanship and strategy: Hooker’s success shows that delivering entertaining performances helps build a brand, but sustainable success also requires adaptation, defense, and strategy.

2. Resilience through injury & adversity: His comeback from injuries and logistical constraints underscores persistence.

3. The tradeoffs between business and sport: Starting and managing a gym vs focusing on one’s fighting career involves tough tradeoffs; knowing when to let go is part of growth.

4. Leveraging identity & national pride: As one of New Zealand’s flagship UFC fighters, he carries not just personal ambition but national representation, which can raise both support and pressure.

5. Innovating beyond the octagon: His holding of nontraditional fight events (like “1-Minute Scraps”) shows a willingness to push boundaries and create novel formats, though it carries regulatory and reputational risks.