Dan Hooker, a prominent UFC lightweight fighter, recently voiced his frustration with the management’s decision to seek a matchup against Tony Ferguson after his withdrawal from UFC 285 due to a broken hand.
In a series of social media posts, Hooker expressed his strong displeasure with the situation, suggesting that the management should prioritize his recovery and give him appropriate time to heal before booking another fight.
Dan Hooker criticizes management for booking him Tony Ferguson bout
Dan Hooker has stated that he is not interested in facing older veterans like Tony Ferguson because the concept is “offensive” to him. Hooker stated clearly in a recent interview with Submission Radio that he wants to face the top fighters in the world and challenge himself. He feels that veteran-versus-veteran battles are not for him, and he aspires to be among the division’s top.
Despite his recent setbacks, including losses to Islam Makhachev and Arnold Allen, Hooker looks determined to prove himself. He has enlisted the help of manager Ash Belcastro to guide him in making better decisions and avoid getting involved in “dumb s—.”
When Belcastro suggested a fight against Tony Ferguson, Hooker felt insulted and motivated at the same time to prove himself against top-level competition.
Instead of the Ferguson matchup, Hooker is set to face Jalin Turner at UFC 290. A win over Turner could elevate Hooker’s ranking and put him back in the mix in the lightweight division.
Hooker believes that a victory in this fight will show that he is still a force to be reckoned with and will hopefully generate excitement among fans and critics. He is confident in his abilities and has visualized success in this upcoming contest.
When Dan Hooker to return back to UFC?
Dan Hooker is set to make his return to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC 290, where he will face off against Jalin Turner. The fight was originally scheduled for UFC 285 but had to be postponed due to Hooker’s hand injury. Now fully recovered, Hooker is eager to showcase his skills and build a new winning streak.
Dan Hooker sees fight vs. Jalin Turner as opportunity to get back in mix of elite lightweights #UFC290 https://t.co/hStJEaESwG
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 5, 2023
Despite his injury setback, Hooker has remained focused and dedicated during his training camp. He looks excited to be part of the UFC 290 card and seems determined to secure a victory against Turner. Hooker’s last fight was in November, where he emerged victorious with a TKO win against Claudio Puelles.
Looking ahead to his matchup with Turner, Hooker acknowledges his opponent’s abilities but is confident in his own skills and experience. He believes Turner’s style won’t be as effective against someone as seasoned as him.
While Hooker’s main focus is on his upcoming fight, he is also keeping an eye on the Conor McGregor-Michael Chandler saga. Hooker hopes to have a rematch against Chandler in the future, as he believes he can deliver a better performance.
He recognizes the significance of a potential McGregor-Chandler matchup and believes it would be a tough fight for McGregor but necessary for his title contention aspirations.
In his downtime leading up to the fight, Hooker plans to follow the recommendation of his teammate Israel Adesanya and indulge in binge-watching the popular series Black Mirror. Despite being far from home in Auckland, New Zealand, Hooker remains focused on his preparations to put on a memorable performance at UFC 290.
