Dan Hooker added another layer to his ongoing criticism of Paddy Pimblett by bringing Conor McGregor into the conversation during UFC 325 media day. While preparing for his upcoming lightweight bout against Benoit Saint Denis, Hooker was asked once again about his issues with Pimblett and did not hold back.
The tension between the two fighters has lingered since a heated exchange that escalated well beyond competitive trash talk. Their dispute has remained part of the narrative leading into UFC 325, despite neither man being scheduled to fight each other.
Hooker Questions Pimblett’s Behavior
When discussing Pimblett, Hooker framed his opinion in blunt terms before referencing an alleged incident involving McGregor.
“I’m a thumbs up, thumbs down guy,” Hooker said. “[Pimblett is] thumbs down. This guy talks, talks, talks, talks, and then he gets caught on his shit and he just turns into a victim, he goes into victim mode straightaway. Like, he’s talked shit.
“Is that common knowledge that he talked shit about Conor McGregor and then Conor McGregor drove around to his house? Drove around to his house and he sat outside in his car calling the bloke and Paddy refused to come outside. That tells you all you need to know about a guy.”
Hooker presented the story as an example of what he views as inconsistency between Pimblett’s public persona and his actions when confronted.
Background on the Alleged Incident
The story referenced by Hooker dates back to 2022, when McGregor was reportedly in Liverpool. Rumors circulated at the time claiming McGregor sought out Pimblett following online exchanges between the two fighters.
Pimblett has previously denied the confrontation took place as described. According to his account, McGregor was indeed in the city, but any disturbance occurred at a different residence. Pimblett has stated that he never met McGregor face to face and would not have avoided an interaction.
Hooker also addressed Pimblett’s most recent fight, a unanimous decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in a bout contested for the interim lightweight title. While the fight delivered sustained action, Hooker was unimpressed by Pimblett’s overall execution.
“Dogshit,” Hooker said. “He talks an awful lot of shit for someone that fights like that. If the only thing coming out of that fight is that you’ve got a good chin—coming from experience—you fought like shit.”
From Hooker’s perspective, durability alone does not equate to championship readiness, particularly in a division as competitive as lightweight.
Dan Hooker claims Conor McGregor once drove to Paddy Pimblett’s house to confront him for talking sh*t 👀
Paddy called cap back in 2021 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ArN1IoF7Kl
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) January 28, 2026
Whether the alleged confrontation ever occurred as described remains disputed. What is clear is that Hooker believes it reinforces his view of Pimblett, and he was more than willing to say so publicly.
