Dan Hooker recently revealed that he inked a lavish new deal with the UFC, claiming it could potentially make him the highest-paid lightweight fighter on the roster.
“The Hangman” is gearing up for a clash with Mateusz Gamrot on the main card of UFC 305, scheduled to go down this weekend at the iconic RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
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Hooker has been particularly exhilarated about competing on the Australasia pay-per-view card, especially since it offers him the chance to fight alongside his City Kickboxing teammates, Israel Adesanya and Kai Kara-France.
The 34-year-old New Zealander last stepped into the Octagon against Jalin Turner at UFC 290 in July 2023, where he showcased incredible grit by fighting through a broken arm to earn a hard-fought split-decision victory. He was originally set to make his comeback against Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night Austin last December, but he was forced to pull out after reinjuring his arm.
Hooker has been a constant fixture in the UFC's 155-pound division since 2014, earning notable victories over respected fighters such as Gilbert Burns, Paul Felder, and Jim Miller. Despite these impressive wins, he has struggled to fully harness his momentum and consistently perform at the level of his true potential.
As one of the division's seasoned veterans, Hooker is now reaping the rewards of his dedication, having recently signed a fresh deal with the UFC—a development that has sparked excitement for him...
Hooker On New UFC Deal: 'They Don’t Pay for Playing Nice'
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker revealed that he’s secured a fresh five-fight contract with the UFC. "The Hangman" explained that the negotiation process was lengthy.
While the exact details of Hooker's contract remain under wraps, now that the deal is sealed, he’s confident it catapults him into the upper echelon of earners within the lightweight division.
It's been in the works for some time. I was on my last fight, which was supposed to be against Bobby Green and all that," Hooker said. "So, it's something that's been in the background for quite a while now, but to finally get it all signed before this big deal is great. As far as I know, besides the big pay-per-view guys and the champs, I'll probably be the highest-paid lightweight out there. You’ve got to stand your ground, brother—they don’t pay you for being nice.
Hooker is currently riding the momentum of a two-fight resurgence after a brief and challenging stint in the featherweight division, where he endured a first-round knockout at the hands of Arnold Allen in March 2022. With a UFC record of 13-8, Hooker is determined to keep his victorious momentum going come Saturday night.