UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has received praise from contender Dan Hooker ahead of the latter’s fight at UFC Qatar tonight.
As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts right now. He has been able to accomplish some incredible things over the course of his career, and as we look to the future, it certainly seems like he has some big things planned. For now, though, the focus is on tonight’s UFC Qatar main event, which will take place between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker.
While not 100% confirmed yet, it certainly feels like the winner could be in contention for a UFC lightweight title against Ilia Topuria. Tsarukyan is widely regarded as the favourite, but Hooker is not the kind of man who will lie down and let you walk all over him – far from it, in fact.
Hooker is a pretty laid-back guy who is more than happy to let the world know what he thinks, and in a recent interview he revealed that he respects what Ilia Topuria has achieved so far.
Dan Hooker praises Ilia Topuria
“Incredible streak. Incredible run at featherweight and obviously when he stepped up and did what he did with Charles, he’s had a great streak,” Hooker said of Topuria. “Everyone who wears that belt, the contenders in the division have their eyes set and hunting and hunting. The future looks exciting.”
“I feel like I fit in well with Ilia stylistically. I feel like that’s a good fight, that’s an exciting fight. That’s obviously the fight I want after this fight. So the UFC is going to do it.” [Max] Holloway and Oliveira, that will probably ultimately be for the ‘BMF’ title, so the undisputed title, the door is wide open for that. There is a lot of movement in the division at the moment. It’s a very exciting time to get a #1 contender fight next to your name.
“It’s a fight I love,” Hooker said. “I feel like I have more tools in my hands, I am versatile, but you have to take it one fight at a time. I have a huge test in front of me in Arman Tsarukyan.
“I feel like he’s the best in the division, it’s the hardest fight and that’s why I want this fight. My focus is definitely on Arman at the moment.”
Quotes via MMA fighting
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