Dan Hooker Stops Benoît Saint Denis via TKO (Strikes) in Round 3 at UFC 325 Qudos Bank Arena

The Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney exploded with Kiwi pride on January 31, 2026, as Dan “The Hangman” Hooker delivered a brutal third-round TKO victory over Benoît “BSD” Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 325. Hooker weathered early pressure from the surging Frenchman, then unleashed a vicious combination of hooks and uppercuts that dropped Saint Denis, prompting the referee to wave it off at 2:58 of Round 3. Broadcast live on Paramount+, the fight sent shockwaves across X, with fans posting, “Hooker just Hangman’d BSD—violence as advertised! #UFC325 #HookerBSD.” A raucous crowd of around 18,500, heavy on Aussie and New Zealand support, turned the arena into a cauldron of noise during fight week, amplified by Volkanovski’s homecoming main event.

Fight Overview

Date: January 31, 2026 Venue: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia Start Time: Co-main ring walks approximately 11:30 PM AEDT (main card start 10:00 PM AEDT) Stakes: Ranked lightweight contender bout—No. 6 Hooker vs. No. 8 Saint Denis; winner surges toward title contention in the stacked 155-pound division. Odds: Hooker slight underdog at +120, Saint Denis favored at -150, reflecting BSD’s recent finishing streak against Hooker’s veteran toughness. X Buzz Quote: “Hooker vs Saint Denis co-main—pure violence incoming! #UFC325” — trending with countdown clips and fan predictions. Crowd Size and Atmosphere: ~18,500 electric fans, with “Hangman” chants from the Kiwi contingent clashing with French flags for BSD. Poll Lean: Pre-fight X polls split 55-45 for Saint Denis, citing his momentum, though Hooker’s durability drew upset support.

Dan Hooker Age: 36 Origin: Auckland, New Zealand Record: 25-13 (17 KOs/TKOs, 4 Subs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 6’0″ / 75″ Key Stats: High-volume striker (5.5+ sig. strikes/min); elite chin and knockout power in bursts. Recent Form: Rebounded from a submission loss with this explosive win; known for wars against top competition. Training/X Clips: Camp footage on X showed heavy bag work and sparring: “Back home-ish—ready to bang! #TheHangman.” Notable Trait: Durable brawler with devastating power punches and never-say-die attitude. Quote/Tweet: “That’s why they call me The Hangman—felt good to finish in Sydney!”

Benoît Saint Denis Age: 30 Origin: Nîmes, France Record: 16-4 (9 KOs/TKOs, 7 Subs) Stance: Orthodox Height/Reach: 5’11” / 74″ Key Stats: Explosive finisher (high finish rate); strong wrestling and ground game. Recent Form: Three-fight win streak snapped; rising star with highlight-reel KOs/subs. Training/X Clips: Aggressive grappling and striking drills: “Ready for war—gold chase continues! #BSD.” Notable Trait: Athletic finisher with power, submissions, and forward pressure. Quote/Tweet: “Respect to Dan—he caught me. Back to the lab; I’ll be back.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Saint Denis pressed early, landing kicks and a takedown attempt; Hooker stuffed it and countered with heavy hooks. CompuBox: Hooker 22/55 sig. strikes, Saint Denis 28/65. Scoring: 10-9 Saint Denis.

Round 2: Hooker found rhythm—leg kicks slowed BSD, then a big right rocked the Frenchman. Saint Denis recovered but absorbed volume. CompuBox: Hooker 35/80 sig. strikes, Saint Denis 25/60. Scoring: 10-9 Hooker.

Round 3: Hooker exploded—flurry of hooks dropped Saint Denis; follow-up ground strikes forced the TKO at 2:58. CompuBox (partial): Hooker dominant in power shots. Overall CompuBox: Hooker 92/210 (44%), Saint Denis 78/195 (40%).

Key Moments and Impact

• Hooker’s Power Surge: Late-round combination showcased his one-punch KO threat, turning the tide dramatically.
• Saint Denis’ Early Pressure: BSD’s aggression kept it close early, but couldn’t finish against Hooker’s chin.
• Fan/Media Reaction: X called it “Fight of the Night” material; media praised Hooker’s veteran instincts in a high-stakes scrap.
• No Major Injuries: Clean stoppage; both showed swelling but stood tall post-fight.

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

Hooker: “I’m back in the mix—title shot next!” eyeing top-5 matchups or a contender bout. Bonuses: $100k each for Fight/Perf of the Night. Saint Denis: “He was better tonight—rematch someday.” Lightweight division gains momentum with Hooker’s resurgence.

Event Context and Sydney Atmosphere

Co-headlined by Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 (title defense); other notables: Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy, Tai Tuivasa bouts. Sydney fight week was massive—public events, local pride, and Paramount+ streams hit high numbers.

What’s Next?

For Hooker: Likely vs. top-5 lightweight (e.g., winner of other contenders) or title eliminator. For Saint Denis: Rebound vs. ranked foe to stay in contention.

On January 31, 2026, Dan Hooker’s explosive power overwhelmed Benoît Saint Denis, securing a third-round TKO in the UFC 325 co-main event. A thrilling display of violence and heart thrilled the Sydney crowd, keeping the lightweight division as unpredictable as ever.