TLDR
- Dan Hooker flew economy class to Sydney for UFC 325 while booking his daughter in business class
- The 23-fight UFC veteran faces Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event on January 31, 2026
- Hooker chose to downgrade his own seat to afford bringing his family to the event
- UFC 325 is the second event in the promotion’s new partnership with Paramount+
- The fighter is coming off a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November
Sources: mmamania.com | mmamania.com
Dan Hooker flew economy class to Sydney this week so his family could join him at UFC 325. The UFC veteran fighter prioritized bringing his daughter to the event over his own comfort.
Hooker will face Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The event will stream live on Paramount+.
The 23-fight UFC veteran booked himself on a budget economy flight while putting his daughter in business class. Hooker shared the experience on Instagram with the caption “I fight so my babies don’t have to.”
Should UFC have foot the bill? Dan Hooker takes crappy coach flight just so family can travel to UFC 325 https://t.co/O5qQdEjsV1
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) January 31, 2026
Major Co-Main Event Fighter Takes Budget Flight
Hooker is competing in one of the biggest fights on the UFC 325 card. His lightweight bout with Saint Denis is expected to be an exciting matchup that draws a large audience.
The New Zealand fighter is coming off a submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November. Hooker has a reputation for delivering exciting fights that leave fans wanting more.
UFC 325 represents the second event in the promotion’s new partnership with Paramount+. Last weekend’s UFC 324 drew strong viewership numbers on the streaming platform.
The Sydney event is expected to attract a large crowd both in person and through streaming. UFC’s return to Australia features a stacked fight card headlined by Alexander Volkanovski versus Diego Lopes 2.
Fighter Shows Priorities With Travel Choice
Hooker did not complain about the travel arrangements in his social media post. However, the situation raises questions about fighter compensation and travel support from the promotion.
The lightweight fighter chose to downgrade his own seat to economy class rather than leave his family behind. His daughter received the more comfortable business class accommodation for the trip to Sydney.
UFC typically provides travel for fighters competing on their cards. The promotion does not cover travel costs for fighters’ family members or training team beyond a limited number of cornermen.
Hooker has been with the UFC since his debut in 2014. He has fought 23 times in the octagon over his decade-long tenure with the promotion.
The event takes place at Qudos Bank Arena, one of Australia’s premier sporting venues. UFC 325 marks a major return for the promotion to the Australian market.
Hooker and Saint Denis are both known for their aggressive fighting styles. The matchup is expected to be one of the most action-packed bouts on the card.
The lightweight division bout could have ranking implications for both fighters. Hooker needs a win to bounce back from his recent loss to Tsarukyan.
