Hooker Calls Out Nurmagomedov After UFC Paris Win

Dan Hooker wants Usman Nurmagomedov in his next fight after UFC Paris, saying no other lightweight contender will accept the risk of facing the undefeated PFL champion.

The New Zealand veteran faces Salahdine Parnasse at UFC Paris this weekend, his fourth straight fight against a top-15 opponent. Hooker went 1-2 against Mateusz Gamrot, Arman Tsarukyan, and Benoit Saint Denis over the past two years, per MMA Mania, before drawing the 23-2 KSW champion Parnasse.

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Hooker On Welcoming Nurmagomedov To The UFC

Hooker told reporters he sees himself as the logical opponent when Nurmagomedov crosses over from PFL. "Who's the better welcoming party?" he said, according to MMA Mania. "No one else will take the fight. You think Ilia Topuria is gonna take that risk of fighting an unranked non-UFC fighter? No one else wants to take the risk."

Hooker said the money UFC offered him to fight Parnasse made him realize how much the promotion might pay for a Nurmagomedov bout. "They were like, 'Usman Nurmagomedov's coming over.' And I thought, 'Damn, if they're gonna pay me this much to fight this French guy, then how much are they gonna pay me to fight Usman Nurmagomedov?'" he said.

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The 34-year-old has built a reputation as a reliable gatekeeper who guarantees action against elite competition, regardless of ranking implications. Hooker said other lightweights avoid dangerous matchups, leaving him to handle what he calls "danger money" fights.

UFC Paris takes place September 7 at Accor Arena.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dan Hooker wants Usman Nurmagomedov after UFC Paris win: ‘No one else will take the risk’