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Dan Hooker: A win over Islam Makhachev at UFC 267 puts me in ‘two-man conversation’ for title shot
LAS VEGAS – Dan Hooker sees himself as part of a four-man UFC lightweight title picture race outside of the scheduled title fight between champion Charles Oliveira and next challenger Dustin Poirier.
Unfazed by the recent amount of attention he’s received by taking a short-notice fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov protege Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, Hooker (21-10 MMA, 11-6 UFC) anticipates a high stakes battle when the two step inside the cage Oct. 30.
“Without a doubt, (with a win), you put yourself in that title picture,” Hooker told MMA Junkie at a news conference Wednesday. “You’re like one in a two-man conversation. It’s here after this fight and then it’s the (Justin) Gaethje-(Michael) Chandler winner. It’s like, how the title fight plays out, it’s like, well, if Oliveira wins and Chandler wins then do we really want to see that again? A lot of different things can happen. But yeah, you’re one of two guys that could get a title shot from this. Of course, it’s a very real possibility.”
The other two contenders he referred to, Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) and Chandler (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) square off at UFC 268, which takes place seven days after Hooker and Makhachev (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) are set to fight. Then, four weeks later on Dec. 8, Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) and Poirier (28-6 MMA, 21-6 UFC) will fight at UFC 269.
With high stakes and an excited reaction from fans online thus far, Hooker doesn’t think his fight against the surging Russian lightweight needs much more of a promotional boost. People are digging it already.
“The fight is sold,” Hooker said. “The fight has a storyline. The fight doesn’t need anything added to the storyline. Nothing has come out of his mouth. He ain’t said a word like this. People around him are saying things. But I’m not going to argue with them. I’m fighting that guy. I’m not fighting that guy over there or that guy in the corner. He doesn’t say nothing, so I don’t feel like I’ve got to say anything.”
UFC 267 takes place Oct. 30 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Watch the full interview with Hooker in the video above.
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