Dan Hooker vows to "not do anything dumb" after returning to top-five UFC lightweight rankings, reflects on 2021 Michael Chandler clash

Dan Hooker has addressed his return to the upper echelons of the UFC lightweight rankings. Additionally, 'The Hangman' revisited his decision to fight ex-Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.

Heading into their co-headlining matchup at UFC 257 (Jan. 2021), Hooker was ranked in the top five in the UFC lightweight division, whereas Chandler was making his UFC debut. America's Chandler emerged victorious via first-round TKO and replaced New Zealand's Hooker in the lightweight top five.

Chandler went on to fight Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title in May 2021 and lost via second-round TKO.

Meanwhile, after losing to Chandler, Dan Hooker bested Nasrat Haqparast via unanimous decision in Sept. 2021. Hooker then lost to Islam Makhachev via first-round submission in Oct. 2021. 'The Hangman' moved down to featherweight and lost to Arnold Allen via first-round TKO in March 2022.

Thereafter, Hooker returned to lightweight and defeated Claudio Puelles via second-round TKO in Nov. 2022 and beat Jalin Turner via split decision in July 2023. Moreover, the 34-year-old's most recent fight was a split decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot in Aug. 2024.

Speaking to ESPN Australia, Dan Hooker recently discussed his training and performances being adversely affected as a New Zealand-based fighter during COVID times. He criticized his nation's previous COVID-related lockdowns, deeming them "some of the harshest lockdowns in the world."

Hooker suggested that he's gained more respect for his coaches and team, as fighting without most of them during COVID times was tough.

Moreover, he was asked about recently re-entering the top five at lightweight for the first time in years. Hooker indicated that he'll be more tactful in selecting his fights and securing a title shot, as opposed to risking his title shot as he did against Chandler in 2021. The City Kickboxing member stated:

"Well, yeah, yeah. I kind of have learned that from my first rodeo, right? Is to just kind of not do anything dumb this time around. I mean, the last time I was number five, I agreed to fight Michael Chandler fresh out of, like, really gave Michael Chandler a shot. It was his first fight in the UFC. I flew to Abu Dhabi, so other side of the world, with absolutely no coaches."

He added:

"And [I] went and fought him [Chandler] with a guy I'd been training with for six months in my corner. So, it was not the smartest of decisions. So, I guess this time around, I'm just not gonna do anything dumb or sell my title shot again."

Check out Hooker's comments below (5:18 and 6:32):

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Dan Hooker outlines potential timeline for UFC return

After defeating lightweight elite Mateusz Gamrot, Dan Hooker stands at No. 5 in the official UFC lightweight rankings. During his aforementioned ESPN interview, he asserted that he's willing to fight the consensus No. 1 lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Alluding to his ideal comeback timeline, the New Zealander said:

"Someone said something about December, and I'm on board with that." [8:37]

Incidentally, Tsarukyan recently called Dan Hooker out for a potential interim lightweight championship fight, as lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is sidelined with a hand injury. Hooker also recently spoke to The AllStar and accepted Tsarukyan's challenge.

Furthermore, 'The Hangman' recently signaled his willingness to possibly fight Conor McGregor, Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, or Islam Makhachev.