Dan Hooker declares 'daddy's home,' calls out Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan
Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) hasn't seen action since an August 2024 victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305. He's been dealing with arm and hand injuries, the latter of which forced him to withdraw from a March matchup against Justin Gaethje.
Now on the cusp of his comeback, Hooker took to social media over the weekend and directly called for fights against former champion Charles Oliveira or top-ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan, declaring that "daddy's home" (via X):
Hooker, 35, is riding a three-fight winning streak against Gamrot, Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles dating back to November 2022.
Oliveira (35-11 MMA, 23-11 UFC) is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317 in June for the vacant 155-pound title. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, hasn't fought since he withdrew on weigh-in day from a title fight against then-champ Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January.
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC 319 pre-event facts: Khamzat Chimaev can join exclusive club of undefeated champions
Arguably the most anticipated and deepest fight card of 2025 is nearly here with UFC 319 set to take place Saturday at United Center in Chicago. The main card is available for purchase on ESPN+ pay-per-view with prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. With an undercard filled by former UFC champions, title challengers, anticipated debuts, two "The Ultimate Fighter' finals and more, the spotlight is firmly on the headlining act. Middleweight Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) will attempt to make a third defense of his belt when tests the greatness of undefeated sensation Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who challenges for UFC gold for the first time. It's a can't miss card, and for more on the numbers on the loaded lineup from "The Windy City," check below for MMA Junkie's pre-event facts for UFC 319. Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev Dricus Du Plessis Du Plessis is one of 14 undisputed middleweight champions in UFC history. Du Plessis is the only South African champion in UFC history. Du Plessis is one of five fighters in UFC history to force a title change by split decision. Alexandre Pantoja, Robbie Lawler, Henry Cejudo and Carla Esparza also accomplished the feat. Du Plessis' three victories in UFC middleweight championship fights are tied for fourth-most in divisional history behind Anderson Silva (11), Israel Adesanya (eight) and Chris Weidman (four). Du Plessis' nine-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is the longest active streak in the division. Du Plessis' nine-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is tied with Weidman for the third-longest streak in divisional history behind Silva (13) and Adesanya (12). Du Plessis' nine-fight winning streak in UFC competition is tied with Movsar Evloev for the third-longest streak among active fighters on the roster behind Islam Makhachev (15) and Merab Dvalishvili (13). Du Plessis has earned 20 of his 23 career victories by stoppage. He's finished eight of those wins in Round 1. Khamzat Chimaev Chimaev can become the 15th fighter in UFC history to win an undisputed championship with an undefeated record. Chimaev 4-0 in UFC middleweight competition. Chimaev's four-fight UFC winning streak at middleweight is tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the division behind Du Plessis (nine), Anthony Hernandez (eight) and Caio Borralho (seven). Chimaev has earned 12 of his 14 career victories by stoppage. That includes six of his eight UFC wins. Chimaev absorbed just one significant strike in his opening four UFC appearances, the least of any fighter in company history. Chimaev's four UFC performances without absorbing a single significant strike are most in company history. Chimaev has landed at least one takedown in seven of his eight UFC appearances. Chimaev's two UFC victories in a 10-day span in July 2020 marks the fastest stretch in company history. Chimaev's three UFC victories in a 66-day span from July 2020-September 2020 mark the fastest stretch in company history. Chimaev has been awarded a fight-night bonus in six of his eight UFC appearances. Lerone Murphy vs. Aaron Pico Lerone Murphy's (16-0-1 MMA, 8-0-1 UFC) nine-fight UFC unbeaten streak at featherweight is the longest active streak in the division. Murphy's eight-fight UFC winning streak at featherweight is tied with Movsar Evloev for the longest active streak in the division. Murphy completes 54.2 percent of his takedown attempts in UFC featherweight competition, the second-highest rate among active fighters in the weight class behind Ricardo Ramos (55.2 percent). Aaron Pico (13-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his octagon debut after a competing for his entire career under the Bellator and PFL banners. Pico returns to competition for the first time since Feb. 24, 2024. The 539-day layoff is the longest of his more than eight-year career. Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates Geoff Neal (15-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC) has earned 12 of his 15 career victories by stoppage. That includes six of his eight UFC wins. Carlos Prates (21-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has earned 19 of his 21 career victories by stoppage. That includes all four of his UFC wins. Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page Jared Cannonier (18-8 MMA, 11-8 UFC) is 8-4 since he dropped to the UFC middleweight division in November 2018. Cannonier's five knockout victories in UFC middleweight competition are tied for second-most among active fighters in the weight class behind Gregory Rodrigues (six). Cannonier is one of 18 fighters in UFC history to win fights in three weight classes. He's been victorious at middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Cannonier is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn knockout victories in three weight classes. Conor McGregor also accomplished the feat. Cannonier's 241 significant strikes landed at UFC on ESPN 47 are the single-fight record for a UFC middleweight bout. Cannonier and Marvin Vettori combined for 394 significant strikes landed at UFC on ESPN 47, the single-fight record for a UFC middleweight bout. Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura Tim Elliott's (20-13-1 MMA, 9-11 UFC) competes in his 19th UFC flyweight bout, tied with Joseph Benavidez for most appearances in divisional history. Elliott' seven decision victories in UFC flyweight competition are tied with Benavidez for most in divisional history. Elliott landed 270 total strikes at UFC 164, the single-fight record for a UFC flyweight bout. Elliott has landed 59 takedowns in UFC flyweight competition, the most in divisional history. King Green vs. Diego Ferreira King Green (32-17-1 MMA, 13-12-1 UFC) competes in his 27th UFC lightweight bout, tied for the third-most appearances in divisional history behind Jim Miller (43) and Clay Guida (30). Green is 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to December 2023. Green has landed 1,864 significant strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history. Green has landed 2,091 total strikes in UFC lightweight competition, the most in divisional history. Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk Gerald Meerschaert (37-19 MMA, 12-11 UFC) competes in his 24th UFC middleweight bout, tied with Michael Bisping for second-most appearances in divisional history behind Brad Tavares (26). Meerschaert has earned 35 of his 37 career victories by stoppage. That includes all 12 of his UFC wins. Meerschaert's 12 stoppage victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history. Meerschaert's 11 submission victories in UFC middleweight competition are most in divisional history. Meerschaert's 11 submission victories in UFC competition are tied with Demian Maia for the third-most in company history behind Charles Oliveira (16) and Miller (13). Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9 MMA, 8-7 UFC) is 4-4 since he dropped to the UFC middleweight division in August 2022. Oleksiejczuk's average fight time of 4:43 in UFC middleweight competition is the shortest among active fighters in the weight class. Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez Jessica Andrade (26-14 MMA, 17-12 UFC) competes in her 30th UFC bout, the most appearances by any female in company history. Andrade is one of 18 fighters in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes. She's the only female to accomplish the feat, winning at bantamweight, flyweight and strawweight. Andrade is the only fighter in UFC history to have five or more fights in three different weight classes. Andrade's 17 UFC victories are the most by any female in company history. Andrade's 10 victories in UFC strawweight competition are tied for third-most in divisional history behind Angela Hill (12) and Tecia Pennington (11). Andrade's nine stoppage victories in UFC women's competition are third-most in company history behind Amanda Nunes (10) and Gillian Robertson (10). Andrade's six stoppage victories in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history. Andrade's four knockout victories in UFC strawweight competition are most in divisional history. Andrade is one of 14 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a slam. She accomplished the feat at UFC 237. Andrade is one of four in history to win a UFC title fight by knockout stemming from a slam. She accomplished the feat at UFC 237. Andrade is the only female in UFC history to land four knockdowns in a single fight. She accomplished the feat at UFC 295. Andrade landed 231 significant strikes at UFC 283, the second most in a three-round fight in UFC history behind Nate Diaz's 238 landed vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC 141. Andrade landed 242 total strikes against Claudia Gadelha at UFC Fight Night 117, the single-fight record for a three-round UFC strawweight bout. Andrade earned the only standing arm-triangle choke submission in UFC history with her finish of Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night 205. Andrade's 10 takedowns landed against Tecia Torres at UFC on FOX 29 are tied for the single-fight record for a women's UFC bout. Andrade's 11 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts are most for any female in company history. Andrade's nine fight-night bonuses for UFC strawweight bouts are most in divisional history. Loopy Godinez (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) became the first female in history to win four UFC fights in a calendar year in 2023. Godinez holds the modern-era record for shortest time between three UFC appearances at 42 days. She competed on Oct. 9, Oct. 16 and Nov. 20 of 2021. Godinez has landed 33 takedowns in UFC strawweight competition, the third-most in divisional history behind Carla Esparza (49) and Claudia Gadelha (36). Godinez lands 57.9 percent of her takedown attempts in UFC strawweight competition, the second-best rate in divisional history behind Piera Rodriguez (65.8 percent). Chase Hooper vs. Alexander Hernandez Chase Hooper (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is 5-0 since he moved up to the lightweight division in May 2023. Hooper's five-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the second-longest active streak in the division behind Paddy Pimblett (seven). Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose Edson Barboza (24-12 MMA, 18-12 UFC) returns to the lightweight division for the first time since December 2019. He went 4-4 at featherweight. Barboza's 16 knockdowns landed in UFC competition are fourth-most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (20), A. Silva (18), and Jeremy Stephens (18). Barboza's seven knockout victories in UFC lightweight competition are tied with Melvin Guillard for third-most in divisional history behind Drew Dober (nine) and Dustin Poirier (nine). Barboza is the only fighter in UFC history with knockout finishes stemming from a head kick, body punch, body kick, leg kicks, and flying knee. Barboza has earned six knockouts in UFC competition stemming from a knee or kick, the second-most in company history behind Cerrone (seven). Barboza is one of two fighters in UFC history to earn multiple leg kick TKO victories. Jonathan Martinez also accomplished the feat. Barboza has been awarded 10 Fight of the Night bonuses, tied with Dustin Poirier for most in company history. Barboza is one of 10 fighters in UFC history to be awarded with 13 or more career fight night bonuses. Drakkar Klose (15-3-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) is one of 15 fighters in UFC history to earn a knockout stemming from a slam. He accomplished the feat at UFC on ESPN 52. Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Bryce Battle Bryan Battle (12-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) returns to the middleweight division after going 5-1 with one no contest at welterweight. He's 2-0 in the octagon when competing at 185 pounds. Karine Silva vs. Dione Barbosa Karine Silva (18-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) has earned 17 of her 18 career victories by stoppage. She's finished 13 of those wins in Round 1. Silva's three submission victories in UFC women's flyweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Robertson (six). Silva is the only female in UFC history to earn three consecutive victories by first-round submission. Silva is one of three females in UFC history to earn a submission victory by D'Arce choke. She accomplished the feat at UFC Fight Night 207. Tatiana Suarez and Jasmine Jasudavicius also won with the technique. UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on X @MJCflipdascript.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
White House Will ‘Definitely' Host a U.F.C. Fight on July 4, U.F.C. Head Says
President Trump is moving ahead with plans to hold an Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House grounds next July 4, the U.F.C.'s chief executive, Dana White, told CBS on Tuesday. 'It is definitely going to happen,' Mr. White said on 'CBS Mornings.' A White House official who asked not to be named to discuss plans that were still in their early stages confirmed that the event was expected to happen on July 4. Mr. White is a longtime supporter of Mr. Trump's, even introducing him at the Republican National Convention last July, and the president has attended three U.F.C. events since his election in November. July 4 is the date of a long-planned national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The nonprofit planning the celebration, did not respond to questions about what role the fight would play in the festivities. A U.F.C. spokeswoman declined to comment about the details of the event, including how many fights would be on the bill. Mr. Trump raised the idea of a U.F.C. event at the White House last month, saying at a kickoff event in Iowa for the national celebration that the White House would host a 'full fight' as part of the festivities. In his interview with CBS, Mr. White said that he spoke with Mr. Trump Monday night and that he intended to visit Washington this month to discuss details with the president and his daughter Ivanka. 'He said, 'I want Ivanka in the middle of this,'' Mr. White said. 'So Ivanka reached out to me, and her and I started talking about the possibilities.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Prates hasn't quit smoking, but says it won't stop him from being the first to KO Geoff Neal in the UFC
Carlos Prates is one of the more unique characters on the Fighting Nerds' team, which says a lot. The Brazilian welterweight contender has been a thrilling finisher throughout his UFC run, but was met with some resistance in his latest Octagon appearance. He'll get a chance to right the ship when he meets Geoff Neal in Chicago at UFC 319 on Saturday. The unanimous decision loss to Ian Machado Garry in UFC Kansas City's main event forced Prates to reevaluate his approach to fights, and maybe more so, how he executes his game plans. It was his first time going beyond the third round in his 28-fight career, and despite his questionable, but admitted love of smoking cigarettes, Prates didn't feel overly slowed or tired by the 25-minute mark. Regardless, don't expect the Fighting Nerds slugger to break his habit, as he still smokes roughly eight cigarettes daily. "Sometimes I start to smoke a little bit less, but it's hard," Prates said Monday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I get really excited, and I want to eat. I cannot eat pizza all day, so I prefer to smoke rather than have some problem with making weight. "I like to smoke before I go to the stadium. We cannot smoke in the locker room. Smoke before, then I go there." Prates can be commended for attempting to live a healthier lifestyle, but the cigarettes have yet to affect his performances. From an in-fight perspective, Prates believes that his recent lessons taught him to adapt and shift his speed. If he wants to be a champion, that might mean toning down his violent intentions. "The way I think to win the fight [might change]," Prates said. "On the level we are right now, the really high level, some small mistakes make a difference at the end of the fight. So it's time to sometimes think less about entertaining and more about winning. Not go for knockouts, you know what I mean? It's not only about bonuses. I want to finish the fight the way it's going to bring me a bonus. First, a win bonus is really nice. Getting the win is most important. I think it's changed a little bit in my mind." Prates' improvements will be tested by his next opponent Neal. Initially, the matchup was supposed to come at UFC 314 in April. Unfortunately for Neal, he was forced out of the bout for undisclosed reasons, which bumped Prates into his headliner opposite Garry at UFC Kansas City. Prates will have his hands full with his fellow striker in Neal. "Hands of Stone" has given some of the division's best all they can handle while staying relevant in his own right. Although Neal lives up to his moniker, he's also a durable foe with no knockout losses in the UFC. For Prates, Neal's history of avoiding knockouts adds a little extra motivation. "I'm really good at knocking people out who have never been knocked out before," Prates said. "I won the belt off the biggest show in Brazil, and I knocked out the guy. He was southpaw, so I'm really good fighting against southpaws, and he was never knocked out, and I was the first to knock him out. When I fought Li Jingliang, he was never knocked out in his career, not only UFC. I was the first one. Saturday night, I'm going to be the first one to knock Geoff Neal out for the first time in the UFC. "Nothing personal against him, it's just because it's the way I like to fight. I'm a striker and I like to knock people out. ... I know how to do that, that's my best."
