Hooker Explains Why He Asked for Ortega After Paris Loss

Dan Hooker is set to fight Brian Ortega at UFC Qatar, and he says it was his own idea. He asked for the fight right after losing in Paris.

Two fighters coming off losses

Hooker is 24-15 and on a three-fight losing streak. Before Salahdine Parnasse, he lost to Benoit Saint-Denis and Arman Tsarukyan.

Ortega last fought in August 2025 and lost a decision to Aljamain Sterling. He is set to move to lightweight permanently.

How the matchup came together

The Paris loss came on Sept. 5, when Hooker headlined UFC Paris and was stopped by TKO in the first round. The Kiwi was disappointed, and he wanted a quick turnaround.

He told Ariel Helwani that the result was hard to take: "When you just get out there and don't really get to show anything, that's frustrating." His camp had been tough, he said, and he felt his consistency had improved. Then he saw Tom Nolan matched with Moicano, and he phoned his manager, Ash, to say he surely could beat Ortega. Hooker added that Ortega is old as well. The UFC liked the fight.

The pullout question

Ortega has a history of pulling out of fights. Hooker dismisses the talk. He called reports that Ortega had withdrawn fake news, and he expects Ortega to show up.

He also doubts any opponent has ever pulled out on him. His explanation: "I must have a very punchable face."

Hooker called it a big fight that he feels everyone wants to see, and said he has full confidence he will win and get back on track.

Our View

Hooker has a clear reason to want this fight: a win over a former featherweight title contender would end a losing streak. Ortega's long absence and his record of withdrawals are the open points. Only the fight in Qatar will show whether it happens as Hooker says, and his own word is the only assurance in this report.

Source: BJPenn.com