Dan Hooker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dan Hooker |
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Hooker in 2020
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| Born | Daniel Preston Hooker 13 February 1990 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Other names | The Hangman |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 156 lb (71 kg) |
| Division | Featherweight (2012, 2014–2016, 2022) Lightweight (2009–2013, 2017–present) |
| Reach | 75+1⁄2 in (192 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Team | Tiger Muay Thai City Kickboxing Saigon Sports Club |
| Trainer | Eugene Bareman Doug Viney |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Karl Webber and Teariki Pina Simpson |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 13 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 36 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 11 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 12 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 6 |
Daniel "Dan" Preston Hooker (born on 13 February 1990) is a professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer from New Zealand. He is known for competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Dan Hooker was also a champion in kickboxing, holding the King in the Ring Middleweight and WKBF X-Rules Welterweight titles. As of July 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC lightweight division.
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Dan Hooker's Beginnings
Dan Hooker was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He has some Māori heritage from the Ngāti Maniapoto tribe. Growing up, he played both types of rugby. After finishing school, a friend introduced him to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Early Career in MMA
Dan Hooker started his professional MMA journey in March 2009. He mostly fought in New Zealand. Before joining the UFC, he had a record of 10 wins and 4 losses.
He also had a successful career as a professional kickboxer, with 9 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws. He won the King In The Ring Middleweight Kickboxing Championship and the WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Championship.
Dan also coached MMA since 2008, including time as a head coach at the City Kickboxing gym in Auckland. In 2018, he opened his own gym called Combat Academy in Ellerslie, Auckland.
Dan Hooker in the UFC
Dan Hooker joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2014. He quickly became known for his exciting fights and powerful knockouts.
First Fights in the UFC
Dan made his UFC debut in June 2014 against Ian Entwistle. He won that fight by TKO in the first round. Later that year, he faced Maximo Blanco and lost by decision.
In 2015, Dan had a big win against Hatsu Hioki, knocking him out with a head kick and punches. This was the first time Hioki had been knocked out in MMA. This win also earned Dan his first "Performance of the Night" bonus. He later lost a fight to Yair Rodríguez.
Moving Up and Big Wins
In 2016, Dan won against Mark Eddiva with a special choke move. He then moved up a weight class from featherweight to lightweight in 2017. This change proved to be a good one.
He knocked out Ross Pearson in the second round, earning another "Performance of the Night" bonus. He also won against Marc Diakiese with a submission.
In 2018, Dan continued his winning streak with impressive knockouts against Jim Miller and Gilbert Burns. However, he later lost to Edson Barboza.
Memorable Fights
Dan Hooker is known for being part of some very exciting and tough fights.
- In 2019, he knocked out James Vick in the first round, earning another "Performance of the Night" bonus. He also won a decision against former title challenger Al Iaquinta.
- In 2020, he had a very close fight with Paul Felder in Auckland, which he won by a split decision. This fight earned him a "Fight of the Night" award.
- Later in 2020, he had another incredible "Fight of the Night" against Dustin Poirier. This was a very tough and bloody fight, considered one of the best of the year. Dan lost this fight by decision.
Recent UFC Journey
Dan continued to face top opponents in the UFC.
- In 2021, he fought Michael Chandler and lost. He later won against Nasrat Haqparast but then lost to Islam Makhachev.
- In 2022, he moved back to featherweight for a fight against Arnold Allen but lost. He then returned to lightweight and won against Claudio Puelles with a TKO.
- In 2023, Dan was scheduled to fight Jalin Turner but had to pull out due to a hand injury. He later fought and defeated Jalin Turner by split decision. He also had to withdraw from a fight against Bobby Green due to another injury.
- In August 2024, Dan fought Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 and won by split decision. This exciting match also earned him another "Fight of the Night" bonus.
Life Outside the Octagon
Dan Hooker used to run his own gym, The Combat Academy, in Auckland, New Zealand. He later closed it to focus completely on his MMA career. In 2021, he announced he was moving to the United States because of travel issues from New Zealand during lockdowns. However, he still lives and trains in Auckland, New Zealand.
Achievements and Awards
Dan Hooker has earned many awards and championships throughout his career.
Mixed Martial Arts Awards
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- "Performance of the Night" (Three times) for his fights against Hatsu Hioki, Ross Pearson, and James Vick.
- "Fight of the Night" (Three times) for his fights against Paul Felder, Dustin Poirier, and Mateusz Gamrot.
- Nominated for "President's Choice Fight of the Year" in 2020 (vs. Dustin Poirier) and 2024 (vs. Mateusz Gamrot).
- Ranked #8 "Upset of the Year" in 2015 (vs. Hatsu Hioki).
- Ranked #3 "Fight of the Year" in 2020 (vs. Dustin Poirier) and #5 "Fight of the Year" in 2020 (vs. Paul Felder).
- Ranked #6 "Fight of the Year" in 2023 (vs. Jalin Turner).
- Ranked #8 "Fight of the Year" in 2024 (vs. Mateusz Gamrot).
- Australian Fighting Championship
- AFC Lightweight Champion (One time), successfully defending his title twice.
- Supremacy Fighting Championships
- New Zealand Lightweight Champion.
- MMAJunkie.com
- "Knockout of the Month" in May 2015 (vs. Hatsu Hioki).
- "Fight of the Month" in February 2020 (vs. Paul Felder) and June 2020 (vs. Dustin Poirier).
- ESPN
- "Most Improved" in 2024.
Kickboxing Awards
- World Kickboxing Federation
- WKBF X-Rules Welterweight Champion.
- King in the Ring
- King in the Ring Middleweight Champion.
See also
In Spanish: Dan Hooker para niños
- List of current UFC fighters
- List of male mixed martial artists
