(R-L) Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Rumours have been doing the rounds of the retirement of Dan Hooker after his loss to Michael Chandler
UFC 257 was supposed to be a tough test for debutant Michael Chandler, but it didn’t go that way.
The former Bellator Champion was up against a tough Dan Hooker, and the Kiwi was the favourite coming into the fight.
Hooker was one of the top stars in the UFC Lightweight division and even after a loss to Dustin Poirier in his previous outing, he was still expected to make things difficult for Chandler.
However, the fight didn’t go that way at all. Hooker seemed to be caught out by the ferociousness of Chandler early on. The American kept charging and following Hooker around before a vicious punch knocked out the Kiwi.
The fight was over in 2:30 and Chandler celebrated wildly after that. However, there was one moment that many caught from Hooker.
The Kiwi looked upset and disappointed after the loss and took off his gloves in a hurry. He also threw them in the Octagon and appeared to have left them there.
Some fans believed that this was the end of Hooker’s time in the UFC and a few rumours suggested that he could be calling it.
Losing two big battles in any sport is tough but this was a huge loss for Hooker. A win would have put him in the title scene for sure. However, he was easily taken out by the impressive Chandler and there are doubts if he will get a title shot in the future.
The Lightweight UFC division is packed with top contenders. Poirier is in the running after his great win over Conor McGregor.
Chandler has now inserted himself into the scene while Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira are also there.
Tony Ferguson is the other big name in the division and it is unlikely Hooker will get a title shot anytime soon.
The Kiwi is now 20-10 in his MMA career and he would need to be on some streak over the next two-three years before he can be considered for a title shot.
As for his retirement, Hooker didn’t say anything on his social media platforms. It has been eerily silent from one of the most vocal MMA stars in the UFC.
Hooker was also speaking on Submission Radio after his loss. The Hangman was asked if it was frustration where he took his gloves off, and suggested that he wasn’t retiring anytime soon:
“You invest so into this sport. You prepare for a bad case but that’s like a whole another level.
“That is the first time that has ever happened to me in my career. To not only lose but to lose in that kind of fashion where you are out back and you are fine.
“You don’t even feel like you are in a fight. At least you go out there, get busted up, someone gets the better of you. You went out there, you tried, you went out there, you tried, you fought hard, that is a lot easier to take because you went out there.
“I don’t even feel like I got into a fight. It felt like a bad dream scenario.”
Follow our dedicated UFC page for instant UFC news and updates