Morning Report: Dan Hooker '100 percent' expects battle with Justin Gaethje to result in hospital trip
02/19/2025 08:00 AM
Win, lose, or draw, Dan Hooker is certain he'll end up in the hospital after UFC 313.
Next month, Hooker faces Justin Gaethje in a five-round fight in the co-main event of UFC 313 in Las Vegas. It's a big opportunity for Hooker, who is on a three-fight win streak — that could set him up for a title shot should he win, and Hooker is ready for the opportunity.
"I think that's why God put me on this Earth, to get into fist fights," Hooker told ESPN Australia. "If I'm finally going to get to this fight and change my tune, this is what I've been calling for the whole time. Live by the sword, die by the sword is just the way you have to approach life. I'm going to go out there, and it's going to go one of two ways. It doesn't matter what happens, I'm prepared."
Hooker is one of the more exciting fighters competing in MMA today, with three Fight of the Night bonuses to his name as well as three Performance bonuses. Gaethje, meanwhile, is possibly the most exciting fighter in MMA history, with an incrediblefourFight of the Yearawards, eight Fight of the Night bonuses, and five Performance of the Night bonuses in just 13 UFC fights. Given their history, many expect this to be one of the most exciting matchups of the year, and Hooker agrees. In fact, he's certain of it.
"I know full well, 100 percent, this fight is going to end — no matter whether his hand gets raised, my arm gets raised — I'm going straight on a stretcher, straight into the back of an ambulance, and I'm going to the hospital," Hooker said. "I've accepted [that]. I've come to terms with that's how this night is going to end. I've come to terms with that. I've embraced that. So if someone is not willing to go to the lengths I'm willing to go to, they're going to have a bad night."
But just because he's expecting a hospital trip, doesn't mean Hooker isn't expecting to win. Gaethje is coming off his 'BMF' battle with Max Holloway at UFC 300, where he wound up on the wrong side of the Knockout of the Year, and Hooker hopes to do something similar to "The Highlight" when the cage door closes next month.
"If I wake up on fight day, no matter what's going on, if I look down and my left arm is attached to my body, I'm confident, baby," Hooker said. "I know I can send any man walking the face of the planet to Mars. So I'm not worried about it. "
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Mistake. Eric Nicksick opens up on 'calculated mistake' criticizing Sean Strickland after UFC 312: 'I f*cked up.'
Weight. Dricus du Plessis not interested in 'unfair' Belal Muhammad fight: 'I step on his head and it's over.'
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VIDEO STEW
Journey.
Francis Ngannou's continuing adventures.
UFC Seattle research.
What a strange timeline.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting's Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown about the lingering fallout between Sean Strickland and coach Eric Nicksick, Francis Ngannou boxing, and the return of Henry Cejudo at UFC Seattle.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Belal claps back.
he can barely walk wirhout tripping over his own feet he ain't touching me https://t.co/yw9rY8O06a
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 18, 2025
If you go up, I'll watch, but truth be told, you prolly not slamming him like you did Leon, he's a handful at 185, you gonna have to dance for 5
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) February 18, 2025
I don't gotta pick him up I'll just push him and he'll fall over he got 2 left feet https://t.co/agalMtvSsh
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 18, 2025
Still the best fighter, still the biggest dork.
I don't wanna brag, but today I had the coolest pair of gloves in my running group. pic.twitter.com/4bRYIJ47oD
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 18, 2025
Bo Nickal giving props.
Khabib, Khamzat, Islam. https://t.co/vAfOZ4ZEYR
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) February 18, 2025
Sure it is.
Reminds me of that scene from Total Recall.
Chael the politician.
-UPDATE-
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) February 18, 2025
On my FIRST DAY as
GOVERNOR of OREGON
I promise to sell PORTLAND back to...
the
PORTUGUESE
Then
Let THEM try to fix it
When they fail
Buy it BACK for
NICKELS on the DOLLAR
Use profits for Cops, Firemen, Public Safety
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Austin Vanderford (12-2) vs. Nikolay Veretennikov (12-5); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22.
Alexa Grasso (16-4-1) vs. Natalia Silva (18-5-1); UFC 315, May 10.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Dan Hooker is 100 percent correct: whatever happens at UFC 313, both men are going to the hospital. Friggin' banger of a matchup. Entirely possible Gaethje wins his FIFTH Fight of the Year award.
EXIT POLL
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