Dan Hooker, a prominent UFC lightweight contender, openly expressed his disdain for fellow fighter Arman Tsarukyan, describing him as a “mouthy little rich pr*ck” in a recent interview. The remarks add fuel to an ongoing rivalry between the two, which has captured the attention of the MMA community ahead of their anticipated bout in Doha, Qatar.
Hooker, currently recovering from a hand injury, detailed the origins of their animosity during an exclusive conversation with The Post’s Scott Fontana. He accused Tsarukyan of discrediting him as a fighter since his arrival in the UFC and criticized Tsarukyan’s attitude and background, hinting that wealth and arrogance were part of the problem. “He thinks just because his dad is rich, he can do whatever he wants,” Hooker stated, referencing Tsarukyan’s family status and behavior during interviews, including an insinuation that Tsarukyan behaved inappropriately toward UFC personality Nina Drama, who is married to a cameraman. Hooker called this behavior “creepy” and suggested it was disrespectful given the circumstances.[1][2]
The feud intensified as Hooker publicly called out Tsarukyan multiple times and even begged UFC matchmakers to arrange a fight with him. Hooker’s insistence on securing this matchup has been interpreted as both a desire to settle personal grievances and a strategic move to rise in the lightweight rankings. He declared that, despite skepticism from others, he was the only fighter willing to take on the risk of facing Tsarukyan, whom many consider a top contender for the title shot.[2][3]
Tsarukyan, on the other hand, has remained mostly silent regarding Hooker’s accusations but was noted to have mocked Hooker after Hooker withdrew from UFC 313 due to injury. This mockery contributed to the tension and subsequent public clash between the fighters.[1]
The MMA community has reacted with mixed opinions. While some fans sympathize with Hooker’s straightforwardness, many criticized him for the personal nature of his remarks, especially the allegations concerning Tsarukyan’s conduct toward Drama. Social media comments indicated that most fans sided with Tsarukyan, viewing Hooker’s accusations as unfounded or inappropriate in the context of professional sportsmanship.[1]
The buildup to their scheduled fight in Qatar is now one of the more talked-about storylines within the UFC lightweight division, combining personal conflict with professional stakes. Analysts predict this bout will not only test their fighting skills but also potentially resolve or further inflame a bitter rivalry characterized by persistent verbal jabs and mutual disdain.
As the fight date approaches, both fighters appear motivated to prove themselves—not just to assessors and fans but directly to one another. Dan Hooker’s candid comments about Tsarukyan’s character have injected an extra layer of drama into an already high-stakes encounter in the UFC lightweight division.