Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan fan the flames of their rivalry setting the stage for an intense potential showdown!
UFC lightweights sure know how to keep things spicy. The 155-pound division has always been a shark tank. Fighters must talk big and back it up to stand out. Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan have taken this memo seriously. Their online feud has been heating up for months now.
The bad blood started after Tsarukyan withdrew from UFC 311 with a hand injury. Hooker immediately pounced on social media, suggesting the injury wasn’t legitimate. The New Zealander has been trying to secure big fights to climb back into title contention. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan sits near the top of the division after his victory over Charles Oliveira. This clash of career trajectories has created the perfect storm for a heated rivalry that fans can’t get enough of.
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Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t mincing words about his feelings toward Dan Hooker. In a recent appearance on the JAXXON podcast, the Armenian-Russian fighter made it clear there is no love lost between them.
“I know when we’re gonna be in one room, we’re gonna sit like this, he is gonna shut up and just listen to me. Because I know these people, they can just talk on the internet, but when they’re one on one, they are scared.”
What really raised eyebrows was Tsarukyan’s dismissal of Hooker as a worthy opponent. The rising star made it clear his focus remains on the championship, not on settling scores with Hooker. His no-nonsense approach in the cage seems to extend to his assessment of potential opponents outside of it.
Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker didn’t take Tsarukyan’s comments lying down. The New Zealand fighter responded with his trademark humor and a personal dig. He revealed that he won’t stand Tsarukyan’s presence in his vicinity.
“Oh f*ck up… Stay at arm’s reach brother. Don’t come anywhere near me.”
Hooker’s response shows why he remains a fan favorite despite his ups and downs in the division. His willingness to engage in both fighting and trash talk keeps him relevant in the lightweight conversation. The Kiwi fighter has rebuilt his career after a rough patch, with recent victories putting him back in the mix. His striking-heavy style makes him dangerous for anyone in the division, including top contenders like Tsarukyan. Though Arman might see Hooker as an unnecessary detour on his path to the title, Dan clearly believes he deserves respect and recognition.
The big question is whether this heated exchange will translate into an actual booking. The UFC loves nothing more than genuine animosity between fighters. It sells tickets and drives viewership. From a rankings perspective, the matchup makes sense too. Tsarukyan sits near the top of the division while Hooker hovers is currently ranked #6. The UFC might look to keep Arman active, and who better to take him on than Dan Hooker!
(Image Credit: Jessica Alcheh – Imagn Images)
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