Banged Up Hooker Pulls Out Of UFC Austin

Dan Hooker’s return will have to wait.

The New Zealand native and Top 15 Lightweight contender, Hooker, has suffered an injury, which forces him out of his upcoming match up against Bobby Green in the UFC Austin co-main event on Dec. 2, 2023. The news was first reported by Christopher Reive. MMA Mania has since confirmed the report. UFC is now seeking a replacement fighter to face Green, according to MMA Fighting. The bout was originally scheduled to be the first five-round non-title fight co-main event on a UFC Fight Night.

Hooker, 33, has returned to form in his last two outings, snapping a tough stretch that saw him go 1-4 (23-12 overall). “The Hangman” last fought against Jalin Turner, earning a split decision win at UFC 290 in July 2023. The win came after Hooker put on a vintage beatdown against savvy grappler, Claudio Puelles, scoring a second round technical knockout via a body kick (watch highlights).

The current 13-fight UFC Austin line up can be seen below.

• 155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan
• 155 lbs.: Bobby Green vs. TBD
• 135 lbs.: Rob Font vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
• 170 lbs.: Sean Brady vs. Kelvin Gastelum
• 185 lbs.: Punahele Soriano vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
• 205 lbs.: Azamat Murzakanov vs. Khalil Rountree
• 155 lbs.: Clay Guida vs. Joaquim Silva
• 135 lbs.: Miesha Tate vs. Julia Avila
• 185 lbs.: Cody Brundage vs. Zachary Reese
• 155 lbs.: Drakkar Klose vs. Joe Solecki
• 145 lbs.: Melquizael Costa vs. Steve Garcia
• 205 lbs.: Rodolfo Bellato vs. Ihor Potieria
• 170 lbs.: Jared Gooden vs. Wellington Turman
• 125 lbs.: Veronica Hardy vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth