Dan Hooker is signaling a strong return to the octagon with a proposed fight against Charles Oliveira this November, sparking intense reactions among fans. The New Zealand fighter openly taunted Oliveira’s recent knockout loss to Ilia Topuria during their lightweight title bout at UFC 317 last month, adding fuel to their budding rivalry.
Hooker has been on an impressive three-fight winning streak, most recently securing a split-decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August last year. Although he was scheduled to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 in March, a hand injury forced him to withdraw, leading to Rafael Fiziev stepping in as his replacement.
Through a post on X, Hooker clearly expressed his eagerness to fight Oliveira while taking a jab at the Brazilian’s recent setback. He stated:
“Someone wake up Charlie Olives and tell him we fighting in November.”
The post quickly drew comments from fans, showcasing divided opinions about the proposed matchup. One supporter warned Hooker with:
“Be careful what you wish for.”
Meanwhile, another fan predicted an easy victory for Oliveira, writing,
“Easy money for Charles.
Hooker Also Challenges Arman Tsarukyan in Controversial Statements
Besides his bold Oliveira fight callout, Hooker has also targeted Arman Tsarukyan for a potential bout. After addressing Oliveira, Hooker issued a provocative message toward Tsarukyan, signaling readiness to face him as well.
In a follow-up post on X, Hooker insulted Tsarukyan and announced his availability with the words:
“On a side note, Arman’s a b**ch and he can get it too, daddy’s home.”
Tsarukyan is enjoying his own momentum, riding a four-fight win streak capped by a split decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April last year. He was poised for a title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January but had to withdraw due to medical reasons, with Renato Moicano replacing him.
These challenges from Dan Hooker underline a restive phase in his career as he seeks high-profile fights within the lightweight division. The prospect of Hooker clashing with Oliveira or Tsarukyan carries implications for the rankings and future title contention, intensifying anticipation among UFC followers.