Dan Hooker, recently sidelined due to an arm injury, revealed shocking details about the circumstances that led to his withdrawal from the scheduled bout against Bobby Green at UFC Austin in December. 

Acknowledging his injury woes, Hooker admitted to knowingly concealing the extent of his injury in order to accept the fight against Green, despite his arm not being fully healed from a previous injury sustained earlier this year. Follow your favourite MMA team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet, one of the best MMA betting sites.

The New Zealand fighter, ‘The Hangman,’ was initially set to face Jalin Turner at UFC 285 in March but had to withdraw due to a broken right arm. The rescheduled fight in July saw Hooker suffer yet another right arm fracture during the first round.

Despite the need for proper healing time, Hooker resumed training prematurely, leading to another injury, breaking his hand while blocking a kick. In an interview with Combat TV, Hooker confessed to lying about his fitness, emphasizing his determination to compete.

“I knew… I lied through my teeth because I wanted to fight,” Hooker admitted candidly.

In another interview with Submission Radio, Hooker elaborated on the circumstances surrounding his injury, attributing it to a sparring session. He acknowledged his impatience in allowing his arm to fully recover and the consequences of rushing back into training.

“In sparring yesterday, copped a bit of a kick… I took a risk… I rushed to come back… It is what it is,” Hooker explained.

With Hooker’s withdrawal from the Bobby Green bout, Jalin Turner steps in to face Green in a three-round clash at UFC Austin on December 2. The Kiwi fighter’s revelations shed light on the challenges fighters face regarding injuries, the pressure to compete, and the risks associated with rushing back into action. Get the latest updates from the world of MMA only on Nextbet Sports.