Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jalin Turner (red gloves) fights Dan Hooker (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Arman Tsarukyan-Dan Hooker Rivalry Burns Hot With Back-And-Forth On Social Media!

Top lightweights Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan reignite their rivalry with personal comments on social media!

Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jalin Turner (red gloves) fights Dan Hooker (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

UFC fighters are known for their trash talk. It sells fights and builds anticipation. But sometimes, the verbal jabs cross into personal territory. This is exactly what’s happening between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. Their rivalry has escalated from professional disagreements to deeply personal insults. What started as typical fighter banter has evolved into one of the most heated feuds in the lightweight division.

The latest chapter in this ongoing rivalry began when Dan Hooker was forced to withdraw from his UFC 313 co-main event fight against Justin Gaethje due to a hand injury. This was a massive opportunity for the New Zealand fighter, who had been building momentum with three consecutive victories.

For Hooker, this withdrawal wasn’t just disappointing, it was heartbreaking. The ‘Hangman’ desperately wanted to compete despite his injury. However, medical staff wouldn’t clear him. That’s when Tsarukyan, the top-ranked lightweight contender, saw his chance to strike.

Also Read: Justin Gaethje’s Opponent Revealed: UFC 313 Co-Main Event Gets Saved By Much Anticipated Rematch!

Arman Tsarukyan Takes A Shot

Tsarukyan wasted no time in going after Hooker. He posted a scathing message on social media after the news of his withdrawal came out.

“Karma doesn’t miss. Big mouth, glass hands – maybe just stick to talking instead of fighting, @danthehangman.”

Karma doesn’t miss. Big mouth, glass hands – maybe just stick to talking instead of fighting, @danthehangman
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) February 26, 2025

The Armenian fighter was clearly referencing a previous incident where Hooker had mocked him. Back in January, when Tsarukyan had to withdraw from his own fight due to a back injury, Hooker had made comments about Tsarukyan’s privileged background. He had suggested that his father’s wealth somehow made him soft. For Tsarukyan, seeing Hooker forced to withdraw from such a high-profile fight felt like poetic justice.

Dan Hooker’s Response

But Dan Hooker isn’t one to take insults lying down, even with a broken hand. The ‘Hangman’ fired back with a response that was even more personal and cutting. In the comments of Tsarukyan’s post, Hooker replied:

“If only your dad pulled out quicker than your last fight. Glass hand haha glass house.”

If only your dad pulled out quicker than your last fight. Glass hand haha glass house.
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 26, 2025

This retort not only referenced Tsarukyan’s family again but also mocked his fighting style and durability. What makes this rivalry particularly interesting is that both men have expressed willingness to fight each other in the past. This kind of bad blood typically translates to exciting matchups in the octagon, where personal animosity fuels the competitive fire.

Both fighters find themselves in interesting career positions right now. Tsarukyan sits at #1 in the lightweight rankings, potentially one fight away from a title shot. Hooker, ranked #6, has been rebuilding his career with impressive wins over tough competition like Mateusz Gamrot. Their career trajectories and ongoing feud make a future matchup almost inevitable once Hooker recovers from his injury.

The UFC matchmakers surely recognize the promotional gold they have in this genuine dislike between two top fighters!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Arman Tsarukyan

Dan Hooker

UFC 313

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!