Lost amid a flurry of fight announcements along with the rest of the world’s goings-on, Dan Hooker is set to take on Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC on ESPN 12 on 27 June.
It’s a fight which would capture the imagination of fight fans in normal times – let alone during a pandemic – with both men boasting skills on the ground, crisp striking, grit and durability.
The New Zealander has won seven of his last eight fights, boasting triumphs over big names such as Gilbert Burns – who has since moved up in weight and has earned himself a UFC welterweight championship fight – James Vick, Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder. The last three wins have come consecutively and he is riding a wave of momentum.
With that run, coupled with Poirier’s standing in the UFC rankings, Hooker believes a victory over the former interim UFC lightweight champion could get him his title shot at either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje next.
“I’ll have wins over a No. 3 [UFC ranking] in Poirier, Paul Felder who was six and Al Iaquinta who was six, which gives me a lot of confidence that I’ll be in line for a title shot,” Hooker told Australian sports outlet Sporting News.
“When I beat Poirier, it puts me next in line and anyone that has a problem with that, they know whose number to call.”
Poirier hasn’t competed in the cage since his third-round submission loss to Nurmagomedov in their UFC lightweight title unification bout last September.
Hooker has been fairly outspoken in recent times and isn’t afraid to shoot his shot and call out any fighter on the UFC roster. While he got what he wanted in terms of a top opponent in Poirier, Hooker has a lot of respect for his upcoming counterpart’s abilities.
“I know what he brings to the table,” Hooker said. “He’s incredibly durable, a strong boxer, strong wrestler, very well rounded and very comfortable in the main event slot.
“This will be his fifth or sixth main event, so he definitely has some more experience coming into the five rounders. That’s something that needs to be respected.”
As for the title picture in the promotion’s best weight class, UFC lightweight champion Nurmagomedov and interim title holder Geathje look set to unify their gold in September.
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