Dan Hooker needs his first crack at Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Light-weight gold.
Something is feasible in combined martial arts (MMA) regardless of the ups and downs a fighter could face. The newest shining instance of that’s New Zealand’s Hooker, who now finds himself ranked at No. 5 within the rankings after a 3rd consecutive win. Hooker earned a cut up choice nod over former KSW champion, Mateusz Gamrot, at UFC 305 final month (Aug. 17, 2024) and now plans to battle as soon as extra at most earlier than he challenges for the title.
Subsequent up, Hooker has made it clear that he needs the previous champion, Charles Oliveira. At this level in his 36-fight profession (24-12), the 34-year-old will persist with that plan.
“I sort of have discovered that from my first rodeo to simply sort of not do something dumb this time round,” Hooker mentioned on The Megan Anderson Present. “I imply, the final time I used to be No. 5, I agreed to battle Michael Chandler. Gave Michael Chandler a shot, it was his first battle within the UFC. I flew to Abu Dhabi, so different facet of the world with completely no coaches, and went and fought him with a man I’d been coaching for six months in my nook. It was not the neatest of selections, so I suppose this time round, I’m simply not going to do something dumb or promote my title shot once more.”
Hooker’s final three-fight stretch of success culminated with a Combat of the Yr contender reverse Dustin Poirier in June 2020. Sadly for “The Hangman,” his streak ended by way of a unanimous choice however the battle was the unforgettable on the spot traditional the world anticipated it to be.
Earlier than Hooker can problem the present champion, Islam Makhachev, in a rematch, Makhachev is anticipated to must defend in one other rematch towards the No. 1-ranked contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev submitted Hooker by way of a primary spherical kimura at UFC 267 in October 2021.
