The UFC’s lead commentator wants to see another fitting name added to the BMF lineage after Dustin Poirier challenges Max Holloway at UFC 318.
The BMF title, created for Jorge Masvidal’s UFC 244 clash with Nate Diaz in 2019, will be on the line for the fourth time at this month’s pay-per-view event in New Orleans.
Poirier will challenge champion Holloway at UFC 318, as ‘The Diamond’ looks to add the symbolic belt to his mixed martial arts résumé in what will mark his final appearance inside the Octagon.
‘Blessed’ is hoping to spoil those plans and become the first man to successfully defend the title after Holloway unseated Justin Gaethje from the BMF throne at UFC 300. And if he’s successful in that aim, one potentially perfect next challenger could be waiting in the wings.
- READ MORE: UFC’s biggest-ever ‘what if’ has a 10-0 brother who could ‘come to the UFC today and be top five’
Jon Anik wants to see Dan Hooker in a UFC BMF title fight
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik outlined a logical next step for the BMF title after UFC 318, if it remains in the possession of Holloway.
“Dan Hooker, I think, is the most worthy fighter across every division who has never fought for the BMF title to get an opportunity to do so,” Anik said.
“So a fight between Max Holloway and Dan Hooker, I think, makes a lot of sense for the BMF title were Max Holloway to successfully defend it here against Dustin Poirier.”
Anik did add, however, that he would much prefer to see Holloway pursuing the lightweight title than making a second defense of the BMF belt.
- READ MORE: Jon Jones praised for ‘his finest work’ on social media since retiring by bitter ex-UFC rival
Dan Hooker named the BMF title among the options after his last UFC win
Judging by some past comments, Hooker would likely be more than down to compete for the symbolic title down the line.
After his split decision win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August 2024, Hooker named a BMF fight among the options he was chasing moving forward, alongside Conor McGregor and a potential eliminator for the divisional lightweight belt.
“Look at me now. I want them all, brother,” Hooker told Daniel Cormier during his post-fight interview. “I want the BMF, I want Conor McGregor, I want a title eliminator. I want everything, brother. I want it all, Sean (Shelby). Woohoo.”
‘The Hangman’ has since had his goals stalled by a broken hand, which forced him out of a planned clash with Gaethje at UFC 313 this past March and has kept him on the sidelines ever since.