Dan Hooker is one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC. Currently competing in the lightweight division, Hooker has never failed to give the fans a great fight experience to watch.
The Kiwi made his professional MMA debut back in 2009. However, competed mostly in New Zealand before getting signed by the UFC.
Hooker( 21-10) made his UFC debut in 2014 against Ian Entwistle at UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs Marquardt and won that fight. Since then, it’s been quite a journey for The Hangman. Hooker has been a part of some of the bloodiest UFC fights in his career. Moreover, his courage to take on any opponent without caring about the consequences with very short notice has helped him gain a lot of following among the fight fans.
Hooker got his last win against Nasrat Haqparast this September at UFC 266. Just after one month, he is now all set to take on Islam makhachev at UFC 267.
Here’s a detailed report of some of Dan Hooker’s fight purses in his career so far.
Dan Hooker Career Earnings at UFC :
Hooker made his UFC debut with a blast as he won his first fight against Entwistle at UFC Fight Night: Te-Huna vs Marquardt. For the fight, Hooker made a total of $16,000. This included $8,000 to show, $8,000 win bonus. But, Hooker’s second fight didn’t go well as he lost his fight against Maximo Blanco via unanimous decision. He only made $10,000 as a base salary.
Hooker got his first performance of the night bonus in his third fight at UFC. He fought Hatsu Hioki at UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs Hunt. He earned a guaranteed base pay of $10,000. In addition to that, he received $50,000 as the performance of the Night bonus and a win bonus of $10,000.
Dan failed to continue his winning momentum as he lost his next fight against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 192. However, he earned a total of $22,500 which included $2,500 for Reebok sponsorship.
Hooker managed to bounce back with a win over Mark Eddiva at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs Mir. Where he made a total of $42,500 including $2,500 Reebok sponsorship. But, Hooker again failed to continue his winning momentum as he lost his next fight to Jason Knight at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs Brunson. He earned a sum of $27,000 for that fight.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs Hunt, it was time for Hooker to turn the tables as he returned to lightweight to fight Ross Pearson. The Hangman won the fight via KO. Hence, he made an earning of $99,000 which included a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and $5,000 Reebok sponsorship
Moving up to lightweight resulted in a successful decision for Hooker as he went to win four consecutive fights in the division. After defeating Pearson, he went on to win against Marc Diakiese and UFC veteran Jim Miller at UFC 219 and UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs Lee. For the win against Diakiese, Hooker made $53,000 and made a total of $59,000 for the fight against Miller.
Hooker met the “Durinho” Gilbert Burns at UFC 226 and won the fight via KO. Hangman took home a total of $65,000 from that fight. This included $30,000 to show, a $30,000 as win bonus, and a $5,000 as fight week incentive pay.
After winning four consecutive fights, Hooker finally got a chance to fight Edson Barboza at the co-main event of UFC on Fox: Lee vs Iaquinta 2. However, Dan was unable to absorb the deadly body punches by Barboza hence lost the fight via KO. He earned a total of $85,000 from the fight including $75,000 to show and $10,000 fight week incentive pay.
This loss was quite a setback for Hooker as Barboza destroyed Dan in that fight. However, Hooker came back to UFC after a break of 7 months to fight James Vick at UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs Edwards.
Hooker didn’t disappoint fight fans on his return as he KOed Vick in the first round itself. Moreover, His impressive return earned him the Performance of the Night bonus ($50,000). He earned a total of $210,000 from that fight.
Hooker continued his winning streak against Al Laquinta and Paul Felder. At UFC 243 Hooker beat Laquinta and earned a total of $170,000. Hooker’s main event in UFC for the first time at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs Hooker and managed to win over Felder and also got the Fight of the Night bonus. Dan made a total of $230,000 which included a $50,000 for the Fight of the Night bonus.
Dan Hooker’s Biggest Paydays at UFC:
The Hangman again headlined the UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs. Hooker, this time sharing it with Dustin Poirer. Both put on a great show, possibly the best fight of the year 2020. Despite taking a loss, Hooker made $170,000 including $110,000 to show, $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, and $10,000 fight week incentive pay.
Earlier this year at UFC 257, Hooker lost the fight to newcomer Michael Chandler. He took home $125,000 from this fight. This included $110,000 to show and $15,000 fight week incentive pay.
Hooker’s last fight was last month where he won against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266. Hooker made a sum of $236,000 which included $110,000 to show, a $110,000 win bonus, and a $16,000 fight week incentive pay.
Dan has made a total of $1,690,000 from fighting at UFC and will be looking on to make more.
Moreover, Dan Hooker took his next fight with short notice that too against one of the most promising rising stars in UFC. Makachaev is currently on an eight-fight winning streak. So, The Hangman has to bring his top game to the octagon to win this fight.
