After a hard-fought victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, Dan Hooker declared that he was ready to face anyone in the lightweight division. With his sights set on the “hardest road to the title”, the New Zealand native expressed his interest in facing off against Jalin Turner, Arman Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev, or even a possible rematch against Gamrot. As fans eagerly anticipate his next move, Hooker has revealed some exciting details about a potential matchup with Charles Oliveira.
In an interview with ESPN, Hooker opened up about his plans for the near future and disclosed that he is eyeing a fight with Charles Oliveira, who is currently on a seven-fight win streak. The 31-year-old fighter believes that a victory over Oliveira would be a major step towards his goal of becoming the lightweight champion.
Hooker and Oliveira were originally scheduled to fight in late 2020, but the matchup fell through due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, Hooker remains determined to make this fight happen and has even set a tentative timeline for it. He hopes to face Oliveira in December 2021, which would give him enough time to rest and recover from his recent victory.
The Kiwi fighter also addressed the possibility of facing Arman Tsarukyan, who had recently called him out on social media. Hooker took a light-hearted approach to Tsarukyan’s challenge, stating that he was happy to “catch some strays”. He also mentioned that Tsarukyan would need to work his way up the rankings before they could potentially face each other in the octagon.
Meanwhile, Hooker has also expressed his desire for a rematch with Gamrot, who he defeated in a hard-fought battle at UFC 305. The two fighters previously faced each other in a lightweight bout in March earlier this year, with Hooker securing a unanimous decision victory. However, Hooker believes that a rematch would be an interesting prospect for both fans and the fighters themselves.
With these possible matchups in mind, Hooker is excited about potentially facing the toughest opponents in his weight class. Fuelled by his determination to become the lightweight champion, the Kiwi fighter is willing to take on any challenge that comes his way. He has already proven himself to be one of the top contenders in the division, with impressive wins over the likes of Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder.
As he continues to climb up the rankings, Hooker’s ultimate goal is to become the undisputed champion in the lightweight division. With a record of 21 wins and 10 losses, he has already solidified his position as one of the most formidable fighters in the UFC. His striking skills, combined with his relentless determination and never-give-up attitude, have made him a fan favourite in the octagon.
In conclusion, Dan Hooker’s recent victory over Mateusz Gamrot has once again proven his worth as a top contender in the lightweight division. With his eyes fixed on the title, he is ready to take on any and all challenges that come his way. As fans eagerly await his next move, they can rest assured that Hooker will continue to display his fighting spirit, determination, and skill in all of his future bouts.
