Dan Hooker Signs Massive UFC Deal

Dan Hooker's new contract follows a hard-fought split decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot in August 2024 at UFC 305. This win was his third in a row, building on victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles. Prior to this streak, he endured a tough stretch, losing four of six fights to top-tier lightweights including Islam Makhachev and Michael Chandler. Known as "The Hangman," Hooker has a reputation for exciting fights, earning him multiple "Fight of the Night" and "Performance of the Night" bonuses. He has notable victories over names like Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, and Gilbert Burns. His fighting style is rooted in kickboxing, where he was a former champion, and he trains out of the acclaimed City Kickboxing gym in New Zealand alongside teammates like Israel Adesanya and Kai Kara-France. The lightweight division he competes in is currently reigned by champion Ilia Topuria. The division is stacked with talent, and a dominant win in his next bout could position Hooker for a title eliminator fight. His professional record stands at 24 wins and 14 losses, with 11 of those wins coming by knockout and 7 by submission. While the exact figures of his new contract are not public, his claim of likely being the highest-paid lightweight signals a significant investment from the UFC. For context, top earners in the division have historically included superstars like Conor McGregor and the undefeated, now-retired Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hooker's recent disclosed earnings for a fight in November 2025 were reported to be around $400,000, excluding any bonuses.