Dan Hooker wants 'one-way trip to hospital' fight against returning lightweight as he turns down another callout
13/09/2024 15:26
UFC lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker has hit somewhat of a career resurgence having won three fights in a row and now sitting at rank five in the 155lb division and he has some ideas of who he’d like to fight next.
This past August at UFC 305, Dan Hooker picked up a huge underdog victory against Mateusz Gamrot in Perth, pushing him up to rank five in the lightweight division and back amongst the elites.
Following the fight, ‘The Hangman’ had a few names in mind for who he’d like to fight next, including former champion, Charles Oliveira and former interim champion, Justin Gaethje.
Dan Hooker abruptly turns down Rafael Fiziev’s recent callout
Looking to return to action before the end of the year is current number nine ranked lightweight, Rafael Fiziev.
‘Ataman’ last fought in September last year against the aforementioned Gamrot, in what was his second UFC main event. Unfortunately for the sensational striker, he suffered a fight-ending knee injury in the second round.
Since then, the 31-year-old has been sat on the sideline nursing a torn ACL awaiting his return to action but he has recently revealed that he is finally ready to return.
Fiziev took to social media to call for a fight against ‘Mr Tattoo’, Hooker.
The New Zealander called for a fight against Fiziev in Perth but it was slightly too soon for Fiziev to return so he turned it down. Because of that, Hooker believes the ‘ship has long gone’ for that fight and has turned down his offer.
“I’m not excited for that fight, the guy is coming off two losses, and he’s been sitting on the shelf, I called him out for Perth I asked him if he wanted to fight in Perth he wasn’t ready, but now he’s ready, that ship has long gone, that fight does not excite me, I have absolutely nothing to gain from that fight,” Hooker told Engage.
Dan Hooker interested in a possible fight against Justin Gaethje
Another lightweight who is looking to return to the Octagon soon is Justin Gaethje. ‘The Highlight’ last fought in April at UFC 300 and was dramatically knocked out by Max Holloway in the last second of their five-round fight.
The former interim lightweight challenger recently revealed a list of four opponents he has his eye on for his return fight, with Hooker being one of them.
Despite his recent loss, the 35-year-old still sits in rank three in the division and so it’s a fight that makes sense for Hooker.
“Justin Gaethje is, I think that fight sells itself I feel like, I feel like locking the two of us in the cage is a one-way trip to the hospital, that would be a hard one to pass up,” Hooker added.
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