Dan Hooker Laughs Off Islam Makhachev Callout, Wants To Fight Nate Diaz

With Dan Hooker’s name being linked to both Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev recently, the Kiwi lightweight contender has made it clear which matchup he prefers.

After Makhachev lost his opponent Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 254, after the Brazilian tested positive for COVID-19, he called out Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira, and Hooker. However, ‘The Hangman’ has no interest in fighting the Russian.

Speaking on his podcast (transcribed by The Mac Life), Hooker expressed his interest in fighting Diaz.

“He’s mentioning me,” Hooker said. “At this stage he’s shared a video of me beating Gilbert Burns, then he said I’m the number one contender at welterweight. I think Israel [Adesanya] said that’s a good fight, and I a hundred percent agree. If the UFC approach with me with that fight, that’s something that gets me pretty excited. Nate Diaz is one of the biggest names in this sport. Gangster team. Gangsters. They’ve been fighting for a while, that would be an absolute honour to get out there and go toe to toe with Nate Diaz.”

In the last few days, the two have verbally agreed to a bout at catchweight, but it is yet to be seen if anything will actually materialise.

Hooker also took the time to explain why he believes a fight with Makhachev would not be a good move at this time in his career. Even with the disapproval of many Russian fans asking him to take the bout.

“Bro, I don’t know what these guys are thinking,” Hooker said laughing. “Do you think I’m sitting at home and I’m going you know what? I’ve had two five-round main events this year. I’ve had ten rounds in the cage, both winning fight of the night and I go, “You know what, Islam Makhachev’s done f*** all this year, how about I get off the couch to go down in the rankings and fight him?’ That doesn’t make any sense to me.

“Am I 200kg? Do I have a big white beard, and a red hat? Am I Father Christmas? Islam Makhachev can get the f*** to the back of the line. No chance that fight goes down. Get out of here. These Russians have been in my comments all week. Imagine you could be bullied on social media into making a bad business decision. Say you’ve got a company and I want to buy your company off you, and I just get all my fans to call you a chicken and you sell me your company for ten percent of what it’s worth. It’s bad business. ‘Hangman’s’ smarter than that Ruskis. ‘Hangman’ ain’t that silly. Back out of here. …Nate Diaz though. He can get that.”

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