Dan Hooker opens up on possible Conor McGregor clash after UFC 257 loss

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4 years ago

(R-L) Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker of New Zealand in a lightweight fight during the UFC 257 event inside Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Dan Hooker is taking some time off after a loss at UFC 257 and didn’t want to name his next opponent, even if it was Conor McGregor

New Zealand MMA star Dan Hooker has had a tough couple of outings in the UFC recently.

He was defeated by Dustin Poirier but the latest loss would have hurt hard. He was the co-main event as he faced Michael Chandler at UFC 257.

Dustin Poirier celebrates after his victory over Dan Hooker of New Zealand in their lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Hooker was the slight favourite given this was Chandler’s first UFC outing. However, the Hangman was defeated in the first round thanks to a vicious punch from Chandler.

While Chandler is being talked about title shots, Hooker hasn’t really been in the news much. He wasn’t the only one getting a loss at Fight Island with Conor McGregor losing to Poirier.

Hooker was asked if he wanted to fight McGregor next on Submission Radio, but the Hangman wasn’t keen on calling out someone now:

“I say people’s names and call people out and do all that kinda thing when it makes sense.

“I am being practical about the whole situation like, I am back in the gym, training grappling.

“But getting hit in the head is not even a though of mine for the coming months, you just have to be smart about it.

“I am not even thinking about it. I don’t want to sit here and say that you know the headline’s come out oh ‘Dan Hooker’s calling out this guy’, cause I am not, at this stage, right now, I am not thinking about it.

“That will come when I am back in the gym and feeling 100%.”

Dan Hooker not even calling out Brock Lesnar

Hooker is known to be a bit of a comedian outside the Octagon and even joked that the last person he would want to call out now is Brock Lesnar.

There were also doubts about Hooker’s future after he took off his gloves at UFC 257. However, the Hangman shared how frustrated he was with his performance and is already back in training.

Dan Hooker of New Zealand punches Dustin Poirier in their lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Hooker still is a big name in the UFC Lightweight division but he needs to get back to winning ways. It will be interesting to see who he fights next but McGregor vs Hooker would be another blockbuster.