The number 8th ranked UFC Lightweight fighter Dan Hooker didn’t have a great start to this year as in January he was knocked out by the former Bellator Lightweight champion Michael Chandler at UFC 257 in just 2.30 minutes of the very first round.
But now after facing two consecutive losses Dan Hooker is looking to climb up the ladder again and get back at the top of the rankings. In his recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker says,
“Anyone ranked above me would be a good fight for me, but yeah, fights that make sense. I like the ‘RDA’ fight. Like, the former champ, I respect his skill set, I respect the way he carries himself, and I feel like that’s a fight that makes a little more sense if he can’t get one of the bigger fights that he’s chasing, to kind of take him up on his offer.”
He also added that he doesn’t hold any preference now because he is not in the position to make calls after losing two fights. ‘The Hangman added’, “I’m not holding on to any names in particular. Whether they’re ranked higher than me, whether they’re ranked lower than me.”
“I know from a practical aspect, I’m coming off two losses. So, I’m not in a position to go calling my shots anymore. I need to get back on a winning streak until I’m in a position like that again. For me, it comes down to a timing thing.”
Dan Hooker is looking to climb up the rankings
After losing the fight against Michael Chandler, Dan Hooker stayed away from his family for 45 days due to strict covid protocols in New Zealand but now he is back on track in his training and targeting a summer return.
He added, “For me, I’m ready to go in June, July would be outstanding to get a fight on. Yeah, it’s just down to the big fella Eugene Bareman. When he points me in the right direction and tells me to shoot, I’ll swing ’em and let ’em go.”
“So, that’s all we’re waiting for. July? Perfect. Perfect. And it comes down to whoever’s ready to go on that date.”
He continued, “It’s when my team’s ready to go, when my coaches are free to go, and whether Israel Adesanya fights or Alexander Volkanovski fights. I know Brad Riddell’s looking for a quick turnaround.”
“When we can get a crew of us to head over and move as a unit, move as a team, I feel like that’s an important thing. I really learned the lessons I need to learn outside of the cage from those last two results. And to rush back in there and go off by myself and do these crazy things again would be a huge mistake.”
The former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos also recently revealed that he has been offered a fight against the top contender, with his tweet RDA says,
“Got a call couple days ago to fight a top contender on the division, I said yes, I’m waiting on the other side,” If this fight call is against Dan Hooker, ‘The Hangman’ will be getting what he wanted.
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