In a disappointing turn of events, Dan Hooker has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated co-main event bout against Bobby Green at the upcoming UFC Austin event. Hooker's withdrawal comes as a result of a broken arm he sustained during his last victory against Jalin Turner at UFC 290 in July.

Initially scheduled for five rounds, Hooker's bout with Green was expected to be an intense showdown. However, the New Zealand native's rush to return to the Octagon led to an unfortunate re-injury when he attempted a blocked kick. Accepting full responsibility for his ill-timed decision, Hooker acknowledged that he knew the risks associated with returning too quickly.

"This one's on me, brother," Hooker stated. "I took a risk, rushing back to fight. We rolled the dice, but unfortunately, we came up snake eyes, baby."

Despite the setback, the backend of 2022 to mid-2023 has seen a resurgence in Hooker's career. He had built a winning streak with victories over Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner, showcasing his skills and determination. The disappointment of having to withdraw just one week away from fight week has undoubtedly been difficult for him to digest.

"I could taste it, feel the crowd, I was on fire," Hooker expressed with regret. "When you get that close, you can't help but imagine how it would all play out. Not being able to make it is tough, but it only fuels my hunger for the next opportunity."

Looking ahead, Hooker aims to focus on a full recovery before returning to the Octagon. He sets his sights on UFC 300, which is set to take place in five months, as a reasonable target for his comeback. Recognizing the importance of healing properly, he plans to dedicate three months to rehab and training.

In the meantime, the UFC is searching for a suitable replacement opponent for Bobby Green to ensure that the co-main event remains action-packed. However, Hooker understands that in the world of combat sports, no one can expect their opponents to wait indefinitely.

"You can't expect anyone to wait around in this sport," Hooker acknowledged. "When you're injured, you can't call the shots. Once I'm back at 100 percent, we'll reassess and see what the future holds."

It remains to be seen who will step in to face Green at UFC Austin, but fans can still look forward to an exciting night of fights, including a headliner featuring Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan in the lightweight division. The event serves as the final UFC Fight Night of 2023 and promises to be a memorable one for fight fans.