Less than two weeks out from his highly anticipated UFC return, the Kiwi lightweight has had to withdraw from his scheduled clash with Justin Gaethje due to injury.
The pair were booked to meet in the co-main event at UFC 313 in Las Vegas on March 9, in a bout that would likely have had implications in the title picture for the lightweight division.
However, Hooker suffered a fracture in his left hand during a training session this week and had no choice but to pull out.
It will be a disappointing turn of events for Hooker, 35, who has worked his way back up to being ranked No 6 in the division - most recently beating then No 5-ranked Mateusz Gamrot.
A United States booking between Hooker and No 3-ranked former interim champion Gaethje was sure to be a fight-of-the-year contender, as both men operate a high-action style in their work.
“I was just throwing some bombs down range. Just caught one of the boys on the top of the dome with my knuckle,” Hooker told Sky Sport.
The Front Nine with Dan Hooker
UFC star Dan Hooker discusses his career resurgence and we find out if his vicious hook transfers onto the golf course.
Video / Dean Purcell
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NOW PLAYING • The Front Nine with Dan Hooker
UFC star Dan Hooker discusses his career resurgence and we find out if his vicious hook transfers onto the golf course.
Video / Dean Purcell
“I didn’t think too much of it but they sent me off to get a little CT scan and they told me it was fractured.
“As of now, I obviously still would fight, but with the medicals, they squeeze your hands ... so we’ll see how it all plays out.
“We’ll see if we can kick this fight down the road. We’ll just wait and see. It’s just unfortunate that it was so close. I’m obviously gutted for all the fans that I know were excited for this fight, that’s the main thing; the lords of war were not happy and they took it away from you.”
The Herald understands the UFC is hoping to keep Gaethje on the card and is looking for a replacement opponent.
Several top-15-ranked lightweights have put their hands up to fill that void, including Gamrot (8), Renato Moicano (10) and Rafael Fiziev (11).
For Hooker, it means he will have to watch from the sidelines and see how the landscape of the division changes and what his return might look like further down the road.
At this stage, only one ranked lightweight bout is booked, with Michael Chandler (7) taking on Paddy Pimblett (12) at UFC 314 in Miami in April.
This is the third time an injury has ruled Hooker out of a booking many fans would have circled on the upcoming schedule.
In March 2023, a hand injury ruled the Kiwi out of his bout with Jalin Turner. Gamrot replaced him and beat Turner by split decision.
Hooker fought Turner in July, winning by split decision but suffered two broken bones early in the fight and had to have surgery.
He was booked to return in December against King Green, but was forced to withdraw a week before the event after re-injuring his arm during training. Turner took his place in the bout and knocked Green out in the first round.
