Kiwi UFC lightweight Dan Hooker will fight Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in Perth. Video / Alyse Wright
When Dan Hooker watches back his early fights in the UFC, one word comes to mind.
“Dumbass,” Hooker grinned.
“I watch some old fights and think about how crap I actually was; I would wipe the floor with myself.”
Securing his place in the world’s leading mixed martialarts promotion in 2014 in the UFC’s debut in Auckland – the then-featherweight winning by first-round knockout – it’s been a case of sink or swim for The Hangman.
Over the past decade, Hooker has fought to a 13-8 record in the UFC – 10-5 since moving up to lightweight in 2017 – with nine of those 13 wins coming by stoppage.
As he prepared to clash with No 5-ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in Perth on Sunday, Hooker reflected on how far he had come in his career so far.
“I was a forward-pressure fighter who would just wear you out and fight you on the inside – which is the dumbest move humanly possible as a six-foot [1.8m] tall lightweight,” he said.
“I’ve constantly been working on things and I feel like everything’s just coming together now where I can showcase a finished product.
Dan Hooker is on a two-fight winning streak. Photo / Chris Unger, Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Gamrot (24-2; 7-2 UFC) provides Hooker a pathway back into title contention, with the Kiwi currently ranked No 11 but having been as high as No 6.
That will require Hooker to prevent Gamrot’s proven ability to win fights through his grappling pressure. Speaking to the Herald this month, Hooker referred to Gamrot’s style as a “cheat code”, with the Polish star “fighting without actually fighting”.
It’s a challenge Hooker looks forward to taking on.
“I love it. I love that sexy little number he’s got next to his name,” Hooker said.
“It’s been a pest of a training camp, really. Just everyone diving at your legs for the past six weeks. I can’t say it’s the most fun I’ve ever had, but getting hit in the head a lot less is not bad.”
The bout comes after Hooker extended his time with the UFC for a further five fights; a contract that will take him to at least 27 appearances on the biggest stage in the sport.
It’s a position Hooker suggested he might not have reached had his 24-year-old self been trying to make it in today’s environment.
“I feel like the level has definitely changed from what it was,” he said.
“Even the guys from our gym coming through into the Contender Series like Cam Rowston, Navajo Stirling, Aaron Tau. These boys are completely well-rounded fighters. You have to come into the UFC now ready to compete with the elite of the division and you have to be incredibly well-rounded, or it’s a waste of time coming in altogether.
Dan Hooker (right) trains with Aaron Tau at Auckland's City Kickboxing. Tau is scheduled to fight for a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series next month. Photo / Dean Purcell
“I came in 10 years ago as just a forward-pressure striker. You wouldn’t even get into the UFC now. The level in the last 10 years has grown exponentially.”
Having to develop at such a level has been a winding road for him, with plenty of bumps along the way.
Debuting at featherweight, Hooker fought to a 3-3 record in the weight class before moving up a division.
The move to lightweight saw him go on a 7-1 run which earned him a ranking inside the division’s top 10.
The Covid-19 period was unkind to Hooker, though. He had a 1-4 record between June 2020 and March 2022, but has since turned that around with a two-fight winning streak.
“You didn’t come this far to come this far,” Hooker said of his career to date.
