Dan Hooker has emphatically squashed any rumors suggesting that he will face Conor McGregor in a lucrative UFC showdown early next year.
The 34-year-old was in the corner of MMA media member Oscar Willis last Saturday, overseeing his friend’s destructive first-round stoppage against Ben Davis in Spain.
But then, following Willis’ scintillating bare-knuckle boxing debut, Hooker was caught on camera having a conversation with BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor.
Shortly after their encounter, Bloody Elbow secured an exclusive interview with McGregor, who confirmed that he is targeting a clash with Dan Hooker in February.
Dan Hooker reveals why he will not face Conor McGregor in February
McGregor was quick to name Hooker as a potential opponent for his return to the octagon, with it now being more than three years since his defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Still, the 36-year-old is seemingly convinced that his next outing will take place in Saudi Arabia early next year, but may now have to consider an alternative dance partner.
‘The Hangman’ has, after all, ruled himself out of the possible contest, confirming that he will instead be focusing on the birth of his second daughter.
“I’m good to go in January or March,” Hooker told Helen Yee Sports. “The missus is due [for a baby in] February, so no can go. I’ve got a little girl on the way.
“You’d even turn down a big fight with McGregor for [the birth of your child]. You’re not missing that. No panties are coming off in February.
“[McGregor’s] busy, he’s got money coming out of his ears – if I had that amount of money in the bank, you wouldn’t see me anywhere near a fistfight.”
Could Dustin Poirier’s four-man BMF tournament proposal materialize?
While Hooker is yet to fight for a trinket, the UFC’s fifth-ranked lightweight has always been a sturdy customer in his division.
And so, with Poirier clamoring for a four-man tournament – featuring himself, Hooker, Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje – the New Zealander could, before long, earn his first title shot.
Holloway, of course, will be colliding with featherweight king Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 on October 26.
But still, regardless of whether he causes the upset in his next outing, the 32-year-old could well be tempted to put his BMF belt on the line in this fantasy, but by no means unrealistic, lightweight tournament.