Dan Hooker is making waves in the UFC lightweight division once again. With his recent victory over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305, the New Zealand fighter. Known as the “Hangman,” has secured his third consecutive win—a streak he hasn’t achieved since 2019-2020. This latest triumph has propelled Hooker to the fifth spot in the UFC’s official lightweight rankings.
At 34 years old, Hooker is now eyeing a significant fight for his next bout. He has set his sights on a clash with former champion Charles Oliveira. However, with Conor McGregor expected to make his return later this year—although the exact timing remains uncertain—Hooker believes he could be a more advantageous opponent for McGregor compared to Michael Chandler.
In an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker shared his perspective on why he considers himself a more appealing matchup for McGregor. “I feel like it’s a smart option,” Hooker said. “You’re going to fight a guy in the top five on a three-fight win streak, or are you going to fight a guy who’s not in the top five and coming off a loss? I’ve been staying active and fighting the best guys in the world. It just is what it is. He has more to gain from fighting me than he does from Chandler.”
Interestingly, Hooker and Chandler first crossed paths at UFC 257 in January 2021. Where Chandler secured a first-round knockout victory over Hooker. This event was notable for McGregor’s rematch against Dustin Poirier, which saw McGregor suffer a knockout loss in main event.
Since then, McGregor’s octagon activity has been limited, with his last appearance coming in July 2021. When he faced Poirier in a trilogy bout that ended in a TKO defeat due to a leg injury. As McGregor looks to return to the octagon, Hooker sees himself as a compelling choice for a high-stakes fight.
“My next fight is going to be a title eliminator,” Hooker asserted. “If McGregor genuinely wants to get back into the mix and earn his way back to a world title, it makes a lot of sense for him to fight me.”
As Hooker prepares for his next bout, he remains focused on advancing his career and positioning himself for a potential title shot, all while making a strong case for why McGregor should consider him over other opponents.
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