“No One Will Take the Fight” – Dan Hooker Wants to Welcome Usman Nurmagomedov to UFC After UFC Paris

Taking a risky fight is something that Dan Hooker likes to do as he aims to welcome Usman Nurmagomedov into the UFC.

“No One Will Take the Fight” – Dan Hooker Wants to Welcome Usman Nurmagomedov to UFC After UFC Paris

Dan Hooker wants to face Usman Nurmagomedov (Image via Bloody Elbow/Facebook)

Free agent Usman Nurmagomedov dominated the headlines recently for his actions after Song Yadong knocked his brother out at UFC Shanghai. The PFL champion rushed into the cage to care for his brother, Umar Nurmagomedov, and clashed with Yadong in that moment.

UFC Paris headliner, Dan Hooker, is keeping an eye out on the developments of the UFC lightweight division. Despite his actions at UFC Shanghai, the promotion is likely to sign the PFL champion in the coming months. That would leave the UFC to find a suitable opponent for Nurmagomedov.

Hooker is already welcoming a newcomer, Salahdine Parnasse, this weekend at UFC Paris. As such, he has offered to welcome Nurmagomedov as well. Reminiscing his fight against Michael Chandler back in 2021, ‘Hangman’ promised to risk it all when nobody else wants to.

It’s the same thing as when I fought Chandler, it’s the same thing with this Parnasse guy. It’ll be the same thing with Usman. No one else will take the fight. You think Ilia Topuria’s gonna take that risk of fighting an unranked non-UFC fighter? None of these other guys in the division wanna risk it. So they call up Dan Hooker, offer him a bit of danger money, and he welcomes these boys to the big leagues

Dan Hooker told Submission Radio

Hooker is currently on a two-fight losing streak after getting finished by Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint-Denis. Winning at UFC Paris will definitely boost his standing in the lightweight division. However, losing to Parnasse might result in the UFC looking for another opponent to take on Nurmagomedov instead of Dan Hooker.

Usman Nurmagomedov recently rejected a $2 million per fight contract offer from the newly merged MVP-PFL promotion. All signs point to Nurmagomedov wanting to test himself in the lightweight division of the UFC.

The likes of Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, Ilia Topuria, and Max Holloway could present a new challenge to the undefeated Dagestani fighter. Tsarukyan has even gone on to say that Nurmagomedov will face the same fate as other champions who jumped ship to the UFC in recent times.

The addition of Nurmagomedov to the lightweight division will make it as stacked as ever. However, his debut may not happen till 2027 due to how the contract talks have been going on.

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(Video) Khabib and Usman Nurmagomedov’s Heartbreaking Reaction to Umar’s Brutal KO Loss to Song Yadong

Childhood story of Usman Nurmagomedov revealed by brother Umar

The bond between Dagestani fighters is something to behold. Their comradery and closeness is really appreciated by the MMA community. What stood out at UFC Shanghai was the bond between Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov.

Umar Nurmagomedov with his brother, Usman Nurmagomedov, and cousin
Umar Nurmagomedov with his brother and cousin (Image via MMA Fighting)

Usman rushed into the octagon despite Khabib Nurmagomedov trying to stop him to allow the medical professionals to do their job after the knockout. Some criticized the action whereas others praised the bond between the brothers.

Umar recently spoke about the positive impact brought in by Usman and recalled a story from their childhood.

Usman was a bit of a hooligan. I had to hit him a lot, and my mom always told me, ‘Leave him, don’t hit him, don’t maim the boy. He will grow up, and he will be a good brother to you.’

Umar Nurmagomedov said

The future looks bright for Usman Nurmagomedov at the moment, considering he has a lot of possibilities for his next fight. The undefeated star needs to win at least two fights to contend for a UFC title, once he signs for the promotion.

Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov will need to put on another winning streak to one day challenge for the bantamweight title again. Umar lost his title fight at UFC 311 after Merab Dvalishvili outlasted him after five competitive rounds.

The loss to Yadong certainly affected his momentum. It remains to be seen if both brothers will one day win a UFC gold like their cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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