Mcgregor in mix for Hooker
Kiwi UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker is confident he can beat the likes of Conor Mcgregor but needs to earn his shot to prove it first.
Hooker is fighting an Irish veteran in Auckland early next year but he’s not ruling out a mega-fight against another Irishman, Mcgregor, in the future.
Hooker (20-8), the No 7 ranked lightweight, believes he will beat Paul Felder (17-4) at the UFC Fight Night at Spark Arena on February 23.
If that happens, super fights against the likes of lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje and the biggest name of them all Mcgregor – who is set to return against Donald Cerrone in January – are all possible.
Hooker believes they are winnable. ‘‘Cowboy [Donald Cerrone], Conor Mcgregor, Justin Gaethje, massive, massive stars of this sport and I’m right there in the mix,’’ Hooker told Stuff.
‘‘I didn’t come this far to get this far, I think I can beat any of these guys on any given day. I just need the opportunity.’’
Hooker has earned the right to dream big. With an attitude of wanting to fight anyone and everyone, especially early in his career, the kickboxer never dreamed of fighting in the UFC until he was inspired by James Te Huna and Mark Hunt making their UFC debuts in 2010.
With Nurmagomedov touted to defend his belt against Ferguson in the first quarter of 2020 and confirmation of a matchup between Mcgregor and Cerrone, albeit at welterweight, Hooker is monitoring events at the elite of the lightweight division closely.
Hooker immediately called out former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier following his career-best victory against Al Iaquinta as the co-main event for Israel Adesanya’s title win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 in October. He says he called Poirier’s name because he was the highest-ranked opponent who wasn’t busy at the time.
With Poirier unwilling, Hooker was determined to secure an opponent ranked above him and with Felder at sixth in the division, he is happy with his dance partner.
‘‘You ask the prettiest girl at the party to dance first, then work your way down and now I’m stuck with the ugly ginger chick sitting in the corner,’’ Hooker said of the redheaded Irishman.
Hooker respectfully acknowledged Gaethje was next in line for a title shot but believes he shouldn’t be far behind.
‘‘Justin Gaethje is on a three-fight win streak so if a three-fight win streak gets you in title contention then bring it on because if I can get past Paul, which I believe I will, then that puts me on a three-fight win streak,’’ Hooker said.
But for all the talk of the mega fights and what life-changing opportunities could be just around the corner with a much-craved title shot, Hooker is staying focused on what’s in front of him.
Even on Thursday, the day the fight was announced, there was some smack talk on Twitter from Felder.
Hooker first called out Felder – who also does commentary and interview work for the UFC – in April 2018 after his first-round knockout of Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 128.