Saint Denis Dragged Hooker into a Ground Fight He Could Not
Benoît Saint Denis stopped Dan Hooker at 4:45 of the second round at UFC 325 in Sydney on February 1, 2026, local time. The lightweight co-main event at Qudos Bank Arena ended after sustained ground strikes from mount left Hooker unable to defend effectively.
Hooker’s opening kicks gave way to repeated takedowns
Both fighters weighed 155.75 pounds for the non-title contest. Hooker initially defended wrestling entries and found front kicks, creating reasons for Saint Denis to keep pursuing a different range.
The Frenchman completed a throw and established top position before Hooker worked upright. Further wrestling and ground strikes allowed Saint Denis to finish the opening round with meaningful success.
A guillotine attempt could not prevent the positional takeover
Hooker threatened a choke during the second, but Saint Denis escaped and remained on top. Elbows and submission threats increasingly limited the veteran’s options underneath him.
Saint Denis advanced through side control and mount, opening cuts as the punishment accumulated. Referee Herb Dean watched closely before intervening late in the round.
The stoppage extended a finishing streak at lightweight
Saint Denis secured a fourth consecutive stoppage victory and preserved his record of finishing every professional win. Hooker suffered another defeat after his previous loss to Arman Tsarukyan.
The winner expressed interest in championship opportunities, including the BMF belt. His immediate statement came through the completed performance: absorbing Hooker’s early striking success, repeatedly changing the fight’s range and converting superior ground position into a decisive finish.
Sources
- UFC: official results and scorecards
- UFC: Sydney venue, weights and scheduled rounds
- Cageside Press: throws, guillotine defense and mount finish
- UFC: fourth consecutive finish
