Dan Hooker has openly criticized Charles Oliveira and the UFC, asserting that the BMF (Baddest Motherf***er) title has lost its significance following Oliveira's emotional victory and subsequent celebration. Hooker's comments, widely reported by outlets like MMA Fighting and MMANews.com, suggest that Oliveira's reaction to winning the belt at UFC 326 'killed' what made the title special.
Hooker's Stance on the BMF Title
The controversy stems from Charles Oliveira's unanimous decision win over Max Holloway at UFC 326 in March 2026, where Oliveira secured the BMF championship. Following the fight, Oliveira became visibly emotional while receiving the belt, a moment that drew criticism from Hooker. According to Sportskeeda, Hooker took to social media to express his disapproval, stating that Oliveira's emotional outburst was not fitting for a BMF champion. He further suggested, as reported by The Times of India, that the belt had lost its meaning after such an emotional celebration. This isn't the first time Hooker has voiced skepticism about the BMF title; in June 2023, he remarked that he would likely put the belt 'under the bed or something' if he won it, viewing it as distinct from a world title.
Oliveira's Response and Fighter Context
Charles Oliveira, an Orthodox stance fighter with a UFC record of 25-11-0 across 36 UFC fights, responded to Hooker's remarks by advising him to concentrate on his own career. Oliveira, currently ranked #3 in the lightweight division, is coming off a significant win against Max Holloway in March 2026, where he utilized a grappling-heavy strategy to secure the BMF title. Before that victory, he held a one-fight UFC win streak. His next scheduled bout is against Diego Lopes at UFC 335: Oliveira vs. Lopes on December 12, 2026, in a lightweight contest.
Dan Hooker, who fights with a Switch stance and holds a UFC record of 14-11-0 over 25 UFC fights, is currently ranked #13 in the lightweight division. His recent performances include a loss to Salahdine Parnasse by KO/TKO punch in the first round in September 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs. Parnasse. Prior to that, he also suffered losses to Benoit Saint Denis in January 2026 and Arman Tsarukyan in November 2025. Hooker's next challenge is booked against Brian Ortega at UFC Fight Night: Prochazka vs. Stirling on November 21, 2026, in a lightweight matchup. The exchange between Hooker and Oliveira also has a history, with previous tension in 2025 regarding a disputed fight offer.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Hooker | 14-11-0 | Lightweight #13 |
| Charles Oliveira | 25-11-0 | Lightweight #3 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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