Dan Hooker confirms why fight against Islam Makhachev didn’t take place

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3 years ago

Dan Hooker of New Zealand poses on the scale during the UFC weigh-in at UFC APEX on June 26, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Dan Hooker explained why his next fight is not against Islam Makhachev

It has been almost six months since Dan Hooker stepped inside the Octagon. The Kiwi last faced UFC newcomer Michael Chandler at UFC 257, and was knocked out in the very first round.

After spending some quality time with his family during March and April, he is now back in the hunt for his next opponent.

Islam Makhachev poses on the scale, weighing in during the UFC 208 weigh-in inside Kings Theater on February 10, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York.(Photo by Anthony Geathers/Getty Images)

More recently, a lot of questions arose as to why a fight against number 9 ranked lightweight Islam Makhachev didn’t take place. It was almost like Hooker was being accused of ducking the Dagestani.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, The Hangman cleared the air on the Makhachev conundrum.

Hooker who is not someone who ducks a possible opponent, claimed that he had never received an offer to fight Makhachev at all. The Kiwi also made sure he took a subtle dig at his former rival Paul Felder.

“The only reason that fight didn’t get put together is he wasn’t ready to go in June, that’s the only thing that I can see from my end…I’ve never stipulated an opponent, I’ve never been offered that fight and that name has never come across my desk. So it’s funny, but I’m not Paul Felder. Those kind of people, I guess they don’t irritate me like they irritated him.”

Makhachev accused lightweights Paul Felder and Rafael dos Anjos for ducking his fight offer a couple of months ago.

Islam Makhachev faces Thiago Moises next

Makhachev has been surging in the lightweight division. He is currently ranked number 9, and hasn’t been defeated since October 2015.

Michael Johnson (L) of the United States reacts after being defeated by Thiago Moises (R) of Brazil in their Lightweight bout during UFC Fight Night at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on May 13, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

He was recently scheduled to face Thiago Moises on the 17th of July, later this year. Moises is a Brazilian lightweight who is ranked number 15.

Although Makhachev might be the favourite, he must be wary of the three-fight win streak Moises is currently in. Plus, the Brazilian has never been finished in his entire MMA career.