"I Was Fu*king Around": Dan Hooker Admits Lack of Focus in Recent Fights Ahead of UFC Paris
Dan Hooker claims he was not focused in his last few matches before his UFC Paris appearance, claiming he was distracted inside and outside the octagon, but promises to be focused.
New Zealand lightweight staple Dan "The Hangman" Hooker is pulling no punches when evaluating his recent performances inside the Octagon. Ahead of his high-stakes booking at UFC Paris, the fan-favorite candidly admitted that a lack of discipline outside and inside the cage cost him dearly in his last few outings.
Speaking in an interview with RMC Sport, Hooker laid out a raw assessment of where his mindset was at during a tough stretch in his career. The Kiwi striker acknowledged that off-canvas distractions and half-hearted preparations directly translated to inside-the-cage setbacks.
"The last couple of fights I was fu*king around, not only in training but in my life," Hooker revealed.
Dan Hooker Locking In for the Paris Spotlight
Hooker’s brutally honest admission comes at a critical juncture in his mixed martial arts journey. Holding a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 14 losses, the 36-year-old veteran has built an enduring legacy as one of the most durable and violent lightweight contenders of his era. With 18 of his 24 victories coming by way of stoppage, including 11 knockouts, "The Hangman" has never been one to play it safe.
However, after dropping consecutive bouts against top-tier opposition like Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint-Denis, Hooker recognized that relying solely on grit and striking output was no longer enough at the highest level. Averaging 4.82 significant strikes landed per minute with a 77% takedown defense rate, the City Kickboxing standout clearly possesses the physical tools to compete with anyone. The missing piece, by his own account, was total operational focus.
Stepping into hostile territory in France to lock horns with dangerous hometown favorite Salahdine Parnasse, Hooker claims his mindset has undergone a complete overhaul. Rather than getting bogged down by pre-fight hostility or online noise, the New Zealander is zeroing in strictly on execution.
For Hooker, UFC Paris represents far more than just another paycheck or main card slot. It serves as a personal redemption arc. By dialing back the distractions, "The Hangman" aims to prove that a fully focused version of himself remains a terrifying prospect for any lightweight on the planet
