Paddy Pimblett accuses Dan Hooker of crossing the line in their trash talk by referencing Pimblett’s deceased friend, while Pimblett defends his own comments as merely an analogy for Hooker’s grappling skills.
Paddy Pimblett’s upset with Dan Hooker for taking trash talk too far. The UFC lightweights are in a verbal brawl. It all started when Pimblett mocked Hooker’s grappling, saying, “Dan Hooker couldn’t grapple a f*cking rapist off his ma.” Ouch.
Hooker didn’t hold back. He fired back, mentioning “Ricky,” a friend of Pimblett’s who died by suicide. That hit a nerve. Pimblett’s not letting it slide.
“I never said nothing bad about his mom,” Pimblett told Fox Sports Australia. “Mrs. Hooker’s probably a lovely woman.” But bringing up Ricky? That’s crossing a line. Pimblett’s friend’s family even reached out, confused and hurt.
“That’s MMA for you,” Pimblett shrugged. “People twist things. I just made an analogy about grappling. Hooker’s beneath me now. He’s 5-5 in his last 10. Michael Chandler knocked him out in two minutes. What’s Dan Hooker?”
Pimblett’s always advocated for mental health, mentioning Ricky often. Hooker’s social media post, “RIP Ricky,” seemed like an insult to Pimblett. Not cool.
Though known for his own sharp tongue, Pimblett thinks Hooker went too far this time. “You don’t mention dead people,” he said. “Hooker tried to make it seem like it was my fault. That’s low.”
Next, Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 for the interim lightweight title. Winning could set up a showdown with champion Ilia Topuria, who’s currently on hiatus.
Pimblett and Hooker might not meet in the octagon soon. Meanwhile, Pimblett takes some satisfaction in Hooker’s recent loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar. Tsarukyan, though ranked No. 1 contender, didn’t get a title shot.
“He wasn’t promised a title shot,” Pimblett said. “He head-butted Hooker at weigh-ins. You can’t trust someone like that.”
“Arman’s brought it on himself,” Pimblett continued. “He’s spoiled, turning fights down, causing chaos. Daddy’s money won’t help in the UFC.”
If you or someone you know is dealing with mental health issues, please reach out.
In the U.S., contact the 988 Lifeline at 1-800-985-5990, text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org.