UFC fighter Dan Hooker has issued a shocking response to Paddy Pimblett following his comment about his rival's mum.
Pimblett is just weeks away from fighting Justin Gaethje, who was forced to release a statement amid fears over an injury, for the interim UFC lightweight title.
He earned his shot at UFC gold following his stoppage victory over Michael Chandler last year.
But the UFC's decision to put him in a championship fight angered some fans and critics given Arman Tsarukyan's position in the lightweight rankings.
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Tsarukyan was scheduled to face then-UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev last January until he withdrew due to a back injury just days before their bout.
The Armenian made a triumphant return to the Octagon, submitting Hooker in a dominant display in Qatar last November.
He's been vocal about Pimblett getting a crack at a UFC title, with the Liverpool star firing back.
In Pimblett's latest outburst, he belittled Tsarukyan's victory over Hooker, claiming the Kiwi fighter can't grapple.
But in doing so, he made a vulgar reference, claiming Hooker couldn't grapple a 'rapist off his mum'.
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Speaking to The MMA Guru, 'The Baddy' exclaimed: "Lad, people are saying like Justin Gaethje's old and that... Lad he's two years older than Dan Hooker.
"Dan Hooker couldn't grapple a f**king rapist off his mum. You know what I mean."
The MMA Guru sheepishly replied: "Okay. Strong statement about Dan Hooker there. We're in fight mode here."
Dan Hooker mocks Paddy Pimblett's dead friend in response
Pimblett's comments quickly emerged online and didn't go unnoticed by 'The Hangman', who hit back on social media.
Hooker claimed it's 'on site' with Pimblett following his remark.
On X, he wrote: "It’s on site u fat b*tch."
In another post, Hooker referenced Pimblett's close friend who died by suicide just hours before his victory over Jordan Leavitt at UFC London in 2022.
Sharing a video of him speaking to the 31-year-old at UFC Qatar, he wrote: "Ain’t said sh*t 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."
In his Octagon interview after his win over Leavitt, Pimblett delivered a powerful message about mental health after losing his pal.
It had been fairly cordial between Pimblett and Hooker, but their relationship has turned nasty, with an intense feud now brewing.
Topics: UFC, Paddy Pimblett
Nasir Jabbar