Arman Tsarukyan
Dan Hooker
Conversation History
Newest FirstRivalry Classification
This rivalry maintains a Neutral Professional Rivalry dynamic.
Communication Strategy Comparison
Analysis: Dan Hooker dominated conversation initiation with 62% of first statements, suggesting verbal aggression tactics. This dynamic commonly appears in Neutral Professional Rivalry matchups.
What The Sentiment Chart Reveals
The sentiment analysis chart above reveals distinct communication personalities and psychological strategies employed by both fighters:
Arman Tsarukyan's Communication Pattern
Primary tactic: Disrespect. This respectful approach indicates competitive confidence without need for psychological warfare, suggesting technical focus over mental games.
Dan Hooker's Communication Pattern
Primary tactic: Respect. This demonstrates sportsmanship and focus on technical competition, potentially indicating superior confidence that doesn't require verbal posturing.
Psychological Dynamic
The contrasting communication styles create an asymmetric psychological battle. This dynamic often determines pre-fight momentum and early round aggression patterns, with the fighter more comfortable in their preferred verbal territory carrying mental confidence into the cage.
“P. Diddy... He can fight Arman Tsarukyan because they're both f**king covered in baby oil”
– via Jai McAllister, responding with his trademark dark wit when asked which non—MMA celebrity he’d like to see step into the Octagon
“I like Arman now. He’s won me over as a fan. The saddest part about it is that the best years of his career are being wasted, bro. He should be fighting Ilia. Who don't want to see that?”
– via The Ariel Helwani Show, making a complete U—turn on his former rival Arman Tsarukyan following the events of UFC 324
“When this c*nt f***ing headbutted me at the weigh—in and broke my f***ing nose, it pissed me right off... It was f***ing when this c*nt headbutted me at the weigh—in and broke my nose, that was the weigh—in. That had absolutely nothing to do with the fight”
– via The Ariel Helwani Show, revealing that his November 2025 loss to Arman Tsarukyan was preceded by a legitimate injury during their ceremonial face—off.
“They're both on the same level, they can do that. [They're] trash cans”
– via MMA Fighting and Shak MMA (January 10, 2026), dismissing the high—profile feud between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker as a distraction between low—level competitors.
“If you ask me now, that was my fault. That was a big mistake. You shouldn’t do that... it was automatic. I couldn’t control myself for those 5 to 10 seconds, that's why it's a little bit dangerous... I was surprised how Dan Hooker is a man. He could have just said he got hurt, taken his money, and gotten ready for the next one. He has b*lls, and I really appreciate it. He’s not a p*ssy. He's the real deal”
– about headbutting Hooker during face off with Dan Hooker
“He tried to scare me. No one can scare me. I automatically wanted to kick his a**. Now I want to make him so tired and cut his whole face, don't finish him too early. I want to get his life, hard damage”
– via ESPN MMA, explaining his headbutt of Dan Hooker during the UFC Qatar faceoffs and detailing his violent intentions for the fight
“When Hooker attacks the success of my family, it doesn't bother me. He's jealous because I have everything and he has nothing”
– via ESPN MMA
“DAN NEVER SPOKE PERSONALLY ABOUT ME... There are levels to trash talk. If he used bad words about me or my family, that would be different. But calling me a 'spoiled kid'? I understand that”
– via Shakiel Mahjouri, differentiating between acceptable and unacceptable trash talk directed at him.
“Me and Tsarukyan come from two different places. Looks like he washes his a** with $100 bills”
– via ESPN MMA.
“Justin Gaethje is not that guy, Justin Gaethje doesn't get me to that guy, Justin Gaethje just gets me a headache. Arman Tsarukyan is the path to the title. That's the path to being the champ. That's the path to being the best guy.This fight excites me because they feel like he's a lot better than I am. That's why this fight excites me so much. It's like anything good that I do. He's going to start to look like more of an idiot. He was supposed to be this super freak athlete, title contender, the guy to beat Ilia Topuria. This is his story, and now he's losing to Dan Hooker, the bloke from New Zealand who's lost a third of his fights.via Sky Sports New Zealand”
“Regardless of the bad blood, I feel like he is the best fighter in the division, skill for skill, including the Champion. You want to beat the best guy you can possibly get your hands on”
– via Home of Fight
“He's the kind of fighter that fights fire with fire. If you strike with him he'll strike. If you wrestle hell wrestle. He's capable everywhere. If we wrestle you're gonna get tired as well. Wrestling is not one way street.”
– via Home of Fight
“I think he's a pr*ck. He’s just been chiming at me since he first got into the UFC, and I’m just not... I’ll chime back. He discredits me as a fighter; he says that I turn him down and run away from him... He’s a spoiled little rich kid who’s had everything handed to him. I’m just the complete opposite of that. I’ve taken everything that I have. I’ve worked hard. I come out of nothing... Money can’t help you beat Dan Hooker”
– via combat TV interview
“I feel like it's a guy that everyone thinks is gonna beat me. I love coming into fights as a heavy underdog, that's where I thrive.This fight gets me out of bed. The Gaethje fight didn't even really get me out of bed.”
“Arman is well rounded. Good everywhere, but a bit boring. If it stays on the feet, I’ve got the advantage — that’s obvious. But if he wants to wrestle, fine. He’ll just gas himself out. I’ve been improving my wrestling a lot. Let’s scramble.I’m not avoiding any part of this fight. I’ll meet him anywhere — standing, grappling, wrestling. I just believe I’m the better fighter. I’m going to take it from him.”
– via Ariel Helwani YT CHannel
“Arman Tsarukyan has been running his mouth since he got to the UFC — discrediting what I’ve done. He’s a lippy little rich kid who’s had everything handed to him. If he walks up on me like he did with Bobby Green, that fight’s off. I’ll write that in my contract.”
– via Ariel Helwani YT Channel
“Nobody really wants to fight Arman — he’s risky. But I don’t look for easy fights. I think he’s one of the toughest guys in the division, maybe the best technically. So that’s who I wanted”
– answers for the question was Arman Tsarukyan already on your radar? via Ariel Helwani YT Channel
“Nothing. just train, tell him to train how to defense wrestling. Because I'm just going to wrestle 25 minutes”
– sends a message to Dan Hooker through Ariel Helwani YT Channel.
“Hopefully I go and beat Hooker, perform very well, finish him, show my level, and after that get my title fight in January or February”
– Via Ariel Helwani YT Channel
“honestly, both[Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker] of them are easy money for me.”
– Via Ariel Helwani YT Channel
“I don't like his face. I don't like that his face is attached to his body, and I would love to separate the two. I don't like the bloke. I don't know anything about him, but I hate everything he stands for. Can't wait to elbow him in the nose.”