Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweights Paddy
Pimblett and Dan Hooker
have made it clear their past friendship is over.
During an interview with The
MMA Guru on Thursday, Pimblett appeared and took shots at a few
other names in his division. When discussing the UFC 324 headliner of himself against Justin
Gaethje, Pimblett dismissed the idea of Gaethje, 37, being too
old and therefore less dangerous. “The Baddy” invoked Hooker’s name
in comparison, stating that the American was just two years the
elder of the Kiwi, and tossed a dagger at Hooker for getting
submitted by Arman
Tsarukyan last year.
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“A lot of people are saying like Justin
Gaethje, he’s old, and that lad is two years older than
Dan
Hooker,” Pimblett observed, before taking a dark turn. “Dan
Hooker’s like two years younger than him…Dan Hooker couldn’t
grapple a f—ing rapist off his ma.”
“The Hangman” got wind of Pimblett’s remark, and he was incensed.
Sharing a video on social media showing that at one time they were
friendly towards one another, Hooker issued a threat to the
Liverpudlian. Furthering their beef, Hooker invoked Pimblett’s
deceased friend’s name, Ricky, who took
his own life several years ago.
Ain’t said shit when we were face to face
bitch. I thought we were mates, but you’re not a very good mate are
you @PaddyTheBaddy
RIP Ricky 🕊️🪦 pic.twitter.com/00fvbzLLC3— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman)
January 9, 2026
“Ain’t said s–t when we were face to face b—h,” Hooker penned. “I thought we were mates, but you’re not a
very good mate are you Paddy Pimblett RIP Ricky.”
Shortly thereafter, Hooker posted again, claiming that when they next met in
person, they would fight.
“It’s on [sight, you] fat b—h,” Hooker authored.
Lowest of the Low
Although he is scheduled to face Gaethje on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas,
Pimblett took more time out of his Friday to lash back at Hooker on
social media.
“Thought we couldn’t be mates ‘cause I’m ranked above you,”
Pimblett wrote accompanied by a laughing emoji. “You took a
hypothetical joke about how bad your grappling is and responded by
talking s–t about my mate who committed suicide? Now that’s lowest
of the low and on [sight] is fine by me you’re utter dogs–t at
fighting.”
The victor atop UFC 324 is expected to face Ilia
Topuria for the undisputed lightweight strap, with Pimblett and
Gaethje vying for the interim 155-pound belt. Hooker, who had won
three in a row from 2022 to 2024, fell short in November to
Tsarukyan to quash his immediate title shot aspirations. He is
matched against the hyper-aggressive Benoit St.
Denis one week after UFC 324, serving in the co-main attraction
to the fight card in Sydney, Australia, of UFC 325.
Thought we couldn’t be mates cause I’m
ranked above you 🤣 you took a hypothetical joke about how bad your
grappling is and responded by talking shit about my mate who
committed suicide? Now thats lowest of the low and on site is fine
by me you’re utter dogshit at fighting 👍🏻 https://t.co/rJhnjHzZkt— Paddy Pimblett (@PaddyTheBaddy)
January 9, 2026