The biggest test of Dan Hooker’s career awaits him Saturday night when he faces former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier in the UFC main event on ESPN 12. A win puts the New Zealand native on a streak. winner of four fights with victories over Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta.
It also puts him in a good position to compete for the title, which will be contested later this year when Khabib Nurmagomedov faces off with Justin Gaethje in a unification fight to determine the undisputed 155-pound champion.
Nurmagomedov has been virtually unstoppable throughout his career with a perfect record, while losing just one round since joining the UFC in 2012. Meanwhile, Gaethje has pulled off four consecutive victories, all by knockout or TKO, as he decimated contenders like Tony. Ferguson, Edson Barboza and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Nurmagomedov is without a doubt the favorite to beat Gaethje. But Hooker sees this as Russian’s toughest undefeated test to date. That is why he believes that a nuisance might be in order.
“I am definitely interested,” Hooker told MMA Fighting when asked about the matchup. “Gaethje, if you are describing a skill set that would give Khabib trouble, it is Gaethje’s skill set. An incredibly strong defensive fighter who is very practical and can do a lot of damage. Great cardio for five rounds. Very comfortable to be in a main place of the event.
“He has the game you would put together to definitely give Khabib his toughest test. I lean more towards Geathje in that fight.
A former American NCAA fighter, Gaethje definitely has the fight to oppose Nurmagomedov’s stifling offensive, where he usually knocks opponents down and hits them on the mat.
Gaethje also has the ability to punish his opponents round after round with the fighting elimination power in his hands at all times. That’s a dangerous combination, which is why Hooker feels that the former Wrestling World Series champion could become the first person to give Nurmagomedov a loss.
If that happens and Hooker beats Poirier in the UFC on ESPN 12, then he could be looking through the octagon at Gaethje with the lightweight title on the line. They’ve engaged in a round-trip word war on Twitter, so the fuse has already been lit in a possible fight going forward.
“That sounds like a perfect way to end the year,” said Hooker. “I will stay ready, I will stay ready, but I’m looking for the next title shot. I feel like this victory, especially a knockout victory, really solidifies my place as the next No. 1 contender. “
