Hooker will headline Saturday’s UFC Qatar against Arman Tsarukyan in a pivotal fight at lightweight. The winner could get the next shot at the title, and Hooker would like to get the chance to face Topuria.
If Hooker gets the chance to face Topuria, he knows it would be a fan-friendly fight and doesn’t expect it to make it past the first round.
“The only goal I have left to set my sights on is the title,” said Hooker said at UFC Qatar media day. “That’s it. I’m in that position now. Do you want to be a nice guy or do you want to be a champion? I’m a nice guy, but I also want to be a champion. The goal (vs. Topuria) would be to not get clipped on the chin. Just use your height, knees and elbow. I think that’s just a good fight, I don’t see that fight getting out of the first round. I think that’s a wild fight.”
Dan Hooker expects to earn a title shot with a win at UFC Qatar
Although Hooker believes he vs. Topuria would be a must-watch, he must beat Tsarukyan on Saturday to earn the opportunity.
However, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje are also claiming a title shot; Hooker expects to beat them both with a win.
“Dana (White) has come out and said it’s a battle with No. 1,” Hooker said to MMA Junkie. “Yes, he is the No. 1 contender and needs a win in the division, and that’s why I chased this fight and asked for this fight. I nagged the UFC to give me this fight because I knew between me and Arman Tsarukyan, no one would want to fight Arman Tsarukyan. So I have a good excuse to avoid him.”
“He pulled out of that fight with a bad back. The champion and the bigger names like (Justin) Gatheje, they have a good excuse not to fight him. I believe it’s because he’s the most skilled fighter in the division. But these other guys out there have a good reason not to fight. I knew with a win over Arman Tsarukyan I could jump the queue. I get to jump from outside the top five to No. 1 in the division. Exciting times, for sure.”
Dan Hooker enters the fight with a record of 24-12 and is on a three-fight winning streak, having defeated Mateusz Gamrot last time out.
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