Dan Hooker is eyeing a return for International Fight Week on June 29th and has outlined his two top options for a potential UFC 303 fight.
Dan Hooker fought on International Fight Week last year against Jalin Turner and hasn’t fought since. The New Zealander broke his arm during that bought and has since gone through the rehabilitation process.
He was then scheduled to fight Bobby Green in December, but a reoccurrence of the injury ruled him out of that lightweight fight.
‘The Hangman’ outlines his top option for UFC 303 fight
The 34-year-old Kiwi has listed Beneil Dariush as his top option, with Dariush recently expressing interest in a fight with Hooker.
“He (Dariush) said he wants to fight in summer, I don’t know when summer is brother but summer is too far away, June on (UFC 303) and if Beneil wants it I would love to. I would love to take that fight.” Hooker told the AllStar Sport.
“I will punch Beneil Dariush’s head clean off his shoulders there’s no doubt about it. That would be my top pick but he’s been very quiet about shooting his shot, I’m not sure if that’s a date he’s willing to commit to. If I get a contract through, I’ll sign that in about two seconds.” Hooker added.
Hooker is riding a bit of momentum as of late, after hitting a rough patch throughout 2020-2022 – where he lost four of his five fights.
Since then, he has rebounded with wins over Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner, maintaining his position at rank 11 in the 155lbs division.
Dariush on the other hand, has suffered back-to-back knockout losses to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, dropping him to rank six in the lightweight top 15.
Dan Hooker claims Renato Moicano would be the ‘easiest money’ he’s ever made
The Kiwi listed ‘Money’ Renato Moicano as his backup option if a fight with the 34-year-old Dariush doesn’t come to fruition.
“If Beneil doesn’t want it, Moicano called me easy money, brother you’re the easiest money I’ve ever seen in my life you chinless scumbag, I’d come for him in a heartbeat.” Hooker exclaimed.
The Brazilian fought at UFC 300 just a few weeks ago, beating Jalin Turner after a big comeback from a bad first round. Turner dropped Moicano in round one and seemingly had the fight won, but he decided to opt for what he thought would be a walk-off KO. Moicano survived and mounted a comeback in round two, scoring a finish of his own.
Hooker has questioned whether Moicano would even be ready for the desired June 29th date, “I don’t think he’ll be good to go by June, I think we might have to wake him up.”