Dan Hooker leaves UFC on ESPN 52 bout due to arm injury

BREAKING: Dan Hooker Reveals He’s Out of Bobby Green Fight: “It Broke In The Same Place”

New Zealand MMA fighter Dan Hooker has to withdraw from UFC Austin on ESPN 52 ahead of his scheduled match against Bobby Green on December 2.

The Kiwi cited an arm injury sustained during sparring sessions on Monday night as the reason for resigning from the UFC bout.

“Sparring yesterday, I caught a bit of a kick. Went in for an x-ray and she’s castlin. It broke in the same place. It kind of is what it is,” Hooker said on Submission Radio.

Following his victory over Jalin Turner on July 8, 2023, at UFC 290, the New Zealander blamed himself for the injury, attributing it to “rushing” his comeback. Despite winning over Turner a split decision, Hooker suffered fractures in his orbital bone on the right side of his face and the right arm bone.

Hooker revealed that one of the kicks during the sparring session hit the same spot as his previous injury. Medical experts assessing his condition noted the possibility of either a bone fracture in the same location due to imperfect bone recovery or injuries in new areas.

Upcoming rehab, UFC bout

Hooker’s withdrawal from UFC on ESPN 52 is a significant setback for him as he seeks to extend his recent two-bout winning streak. Hooker is ranked ninth in the UFC Lightweight category, whereas Green, his opponent in UFC on ESPN 52, holds the 13th spot.

He admitted his passion to extend the streak was a “double-edged sword” leading to his injury. After arm surgery, Hooker expects a four to six-month recovery, targeting a return for UFC 300 in April 2024.

“I’ll be back. UFC 300 in five months. That’s a good target. Everything happens for a reason. That one wasn’t meant to be. Yeah, UFC 300 in five months,” said Hooker.

Hooker also mentioned that, after discussing with his surgeon, he plans to transition the three-month recovery period into a rehabilitation and training camp in preparation for UFC 300.