UFC 325 live blog: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis

This is the UFC 325 live blog for Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis, the lightweight co-main event Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.

Hooker looks to defend his No. 7 spot in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings when he takes on the No. 8-ranked Saint Denis.

This is a crucial matchup for Hooker (24-13), who suffered a deflating submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC Qatar in November. “The Hangman” looked out of his league against Tsarukyan and he now faces the resurgent Saint Denis, who is also known for dangerous grappling and non-stop pressure. Can Hooker pull off the upset?

Saint Denis (16-3, 1 NC) enjoyed a brilliant 2025 campaign, scoring submission wins over Mauricio Ruffy and Kyle Prepolec, and then knocking out longtime contender Beneil Dariush in 16 seconds at UFC 322. After a strong start to his UFC career, Saint Denis faltered against Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, but his recent work shows that he still has the talent to breakthrough in the contender line.

Check out the UFC 325 live blog for Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint Denis below.

Perfect matchmaking here, not just from a stylistic standpoint. Hooker has been firmly established as a top 10 guy for ages and Saint Denis has faltered against high-level competition (before smoking Dariush). Is Hooker set to push Saint Denis to the back of the line again?

Saint Denis a huge favorite according to FanDuel, standing at -400. Hooker your underdog at a sizable +310.

Saint Denis with a quick takedown attempt, Hooker right to the guillotine to counter, and they break it up. Hooker blocks another takedown, but Saint Denis is pressing forward. Hooker circles out again. Body kick scores for Hooker, and another. Saint Denis is feeling those. Damn, Hooker with another kick to the belly. Saint Denis going all out for a takedown, but Hooker defending well. Great start for Hooker.

Saint Denis lands a left hand, he’s mixing in the strikes before looking to grapple. Hooker fighting for a body lock as he moves Saint Denis to the fence. Grimy fight so far, just like how Hooker likes it. Hooker scores with a body kick again. Hooker blocks another takedown attempt.

Judo throw by Saint Denis! He’s finally on top, he needed that. Short elbows from Saint Denis, nothing too damaging but that can’t be fun. Saint Denis working to isolate Hooker’s right arm, going for a kimura. If he pops that arm out, Hooker is in trouble. Hooker gets the arms free, twists, and gets back to his feet. Knee inside by Saint Denis, but Hooker cracks him with a body shot. Wild striking exchange, both fighters landing. Hooker with a clean uppercut. Saint Denis powers through for a takedown. Saint Denis with good ground-and-pound, that might have sealed the deal on a competitive round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Saint Denis.

Saint Denis with a body kick right into a takedown. Hooker staying upright, they trade punches, and Saint Denis goes for another takedown, wild scramble and they’re back on the feet. Saint Denis with a sloppy takedown attempt and Hooker almost ends up on top. Crazy pace through the first 45 seconds of this round.

Another scramble and this time Saint Denis ends up on top in great position to throw elbows. He is firing away, maybe a eight or nine hard ones getting through. Saint Denis considers an Americana, then an arm-triangle, but focuses on maintaining full mount. Hooker being overwhelmed now.

Saint Denis methodically working for an arm-triangle. That’s getting tight. Hooker straining and changing color but not tapping. Saint Denis completely passes guard and he is in excellent position to finish here. He readjusts to tighten the arm-triangle, Hooker doing everything he can to defend. Saint Denis with hammerfists to the side of the head, trying to loosen Hooker up. The arm-triangle is gone, but that just means more ground-and-pound.

Just elbow after elbow after elbow. Hooker is avoiding a finishing blow, but this has been one-way traffic. Referee Herb Dean asking Hooker to fight back and he’s really not defending intelligently. Hooker being given as much time as possible, but there’s no sign of recovery. This one is over.

Saint Denis credits Hooker for controlling the distance, so he had to go back to “seek and destroy” mode.

“I’m going to be champion with this shit, because no one is going to do this [three rounds] with me. Nobody. Give me the f*cking belt. I’m ready. … For me, there’s only Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Ilia Topuria I have in mind.

“Arman as well, you say No. 1 contender, I’m going to take your f*cking spot. I’m here to be the champion.”