Dan Hooker is no stranger to the operating table, and he underwent another surgery on Monday.
“Hangman” was recently forced to withdraw from a bout against Bobby Green that was to serve as the co-main event of this Saturday’s UFC Austin card. In Hooker’s place, Jalin Turner is stepping in to fight Green.
It has been a roller-coaster 2023 campaign for Hooker, who injured his hand ahead of a meeting with Turner at UFC 285, which forced that bout to be rescheduled for UFC 290. Hooker went on to defeat Turner, but he broke his arm in that fight, which led to Hooker scheduling a pair of surgeries this past summer to address the issue.
On Monday, Hooker shared a photo and an update from his latest surgery via social media.
Surgery done and dusted this morning. Not my first and definitely won’t be my last time under the knife haha.
Can see how this isn’t everyones cup of tea but I’m built for this game. Just a scratch baby, can’t wait to scrap again.
Over the weekend, Hooker provided more details on how the injury occurred. According to the UFC veteran, he broke his arm in sparring, an injury that was exacerbated by the fact that “the bone had never fused properly.”
“My hunger to compete got the best of me,” Hooker wrote. “I was too eager to fight under the lights again and put on a show that would be remembered.
“I broke my arm sparring this week in the same place as last time. Surgeon tells me the bone had never fused properly. Have surgery this week to inject bone marrow into my arm and ensure full strength.
“Wake up call to take better care of myself and recover properly before getting back to action. Every set back in this game is an opportunity to learn and grow.”
Hooker (23-12) is currently on a two-fight win streak after earning a split nod over Turner. Prior to that, he snapped a two-fight skid with a second-round TKO of Claudio Puelles at UFC 281.