Dan Hooker didn’t get the nickname “The Hangman” by accident. On Saturday, the 33-year-old UFC fighter went to war with Jalin Turner for three rounds. Hooker emerged victorious, via split decision.
Nonetheless, the outcome isn’t the most spectacular part of Hooker’s win. Instead, it’s the fact he defeated Turner with a broken arm. On Sunday, Hooker posted an x-ray of his broken arm.
The injury wasn’t a complete surprise. In Hooker’s post-fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the lightweight contender gave a fantastic response when asked about his arm’s condition.
“It’s just a scratch. We’ll have to see,” Hooker said with a smile.
Dana White, give this man a title shot. To be fair, Hooker isn’t too far off. The 6-foot fighter is currently ranked No. 10 in the lightweight division and is one of the most experienced fighters in his weight class.
Hooker has over 20 fights in the UFC, including bouts against stars such as Dustin Poirer, Islam Makhachev and Michael Chandler. The UFC veteran is so familiar with his fight game, he knew the exact moment he broke his arm.
“I went back and I watched and I think it was a bit of a slow process,” Hooker said on “The MMA Hour.” “I think it was a front kick in the first round that I think might have put a little crack in it. If you look at it, just as round two starts, I look down at my arm because it’s not responding the way I want it to, and then in the second [round], he lands a couple more kicks and I think that breaks it.
“I definitely felt it in the second [round]. I was like, ‘Something’s up here.’ I couldn’t feel my right hand, and then it wasn’t until the third round, I dropped him, and I tried to finish him, I was following up with punches, and it was one punch, and I was like, ‘I’m going to throw my right hand anyways.’
“I threw my right and I felt it completely go out of place. My whole right arm just went dead. It’s not how I wanted to win. I was just controlling him on top with my right elbow and just staying on top, punching him with my left hand.”
Hooker’s arm isn’t the only injury he must nurture. After taking several shots to the face, Hooker reportedly suffered a broken orbital bone, as well. The New Zealand native will likely undergo surgery for both injuries.
Nonetheless, the Hangman isn’t concerned.
“[The broken arm is] pretty sore. But what are you going to do about it?” Hooker said. “We’ll get it all fixed up and back to 100 percent in no time.”
After defeating Turner, Hooker is on a two-fight win streak. Only time will tell who the gutsy fighter will face next.
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