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 And Dan Hooker Continue To Trade Shots Outside The Octagon

Lightweights Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker go back and forth on the internet as they advance their rivalry!

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

Some UFC feuds start with a controversial decision or heated staredown. Others begin with social media trash talk that spirals out of control. The bitter rivalry between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker falls into the second category, and it’s gotten pretty ugly over the past year. What started as typical fighter banter has morphed into a nasty feuds in the lightweight division. This is complete with personal attacks and constant back-and-forth jabs that make fans wonder if these two actually hate each other.

The whole mess began when Tsarukyan withdrew from his scheduled title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just one day before the event due to a back injury. That’s when Hooker decided to pounce, suggesting on social media that the injury wasn’t even real. It was a low blow that started something neither fighter seems willing to finish. Since then, their online war has escalated to the point where they are throwing insults left and right.

The Latest Round of Verbal Warfare

After UFC 317 wrapped up last weekend, Tsarukyan decided to reignite their feud with a completely unprovoked shot. The Armenian fighter randomly posted on social media:

“On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a b**ch. Just thought that needed to be said.”

On a side note, Dan Hooker is still a bitch. Just thought that needed to be said.
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 1, 2025

Tsarukyan was in Las Vegas serving as the backup fighter for the main event. Instead of focusing on that opportunity, he chose to take a swipe at Hooker for absolutely no reason.

Hooker wasn’t about to let that slide, and his response was absolutely brutal. The New Zealand fighter fired back with what might be the most savage comeback in recent UFC history:

“You’re a human side note. Number 1 contender no one gives a f*** about.”

You’re a human side note 😂

Number 1 contender no one gives a fuck about. https://t.co/0bZl3F0bea
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) July 1, 2025

Hooker basically called Tsarukyan irrelevant despite his high ranking. This had to sting considering the Armenian fighter was supposed to get his title shot before the injury derailed everything. What makes this feud particularly nasty is how personal it’s gotten over time. Hooker has made comments about Tsarukyan’s interactions with social media personality Nina Marie Daniele. He suggested that the Armenian fighter was “creeping on Nina Drama” instead of focusing on his fighting career.

The bad blood has been building for months now, with both fighters taking shots whenever they get the chance. Hooker seems particularly bothered by Tsarukyan’s injury withdrawals, while Tsarukyan appears frustrated that Hooker keeps questioning his legitimacy as a top contender. Whether this feud leads to an actual fight remains to be seen. Both guys are talented lightweights who could put on an entertaining scrap, and their genuine dislike for each other would definitely add some spice to the buildup.

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

Arman Tsarukyan

Dan Hooker

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!