Dan Hooker is set to compete in a “high risk” co-main event against promotional newcomer Michael Chandler at UFC 257 this weekend, but expects high reward in return should he come out on top.
UFC 257 is headlined by a pivotal rematch between lightweight elites Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. The stakes are high as champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has said that he could come back from retirement and defend his title if he sees something special on January 23rd.
Chandler Fight
Hooker stepped in to face Chandler when everyone in the top five, except for McGregor, turned down a chance to fight him. Speaking to MMA Junkie, the New Zealander said that he is taking a big risk by fighting the former Bellator champion, but expects “something big” if all goes well.
“That’s like in the back of my head, what is going to come from this,” Hooker said. “But I definitely know that something big is going to come from this because it’s high risk and this is the sport of people that take the risks get the rewards. They went down the list trying to find an opponent for Chandler.
“No one wanted to take the risk, and this is the way this sport works: You take the risk. I flew over here. I’m fighting the unknown fighter. I’m taking the risk, so that warrants getting the reward for that, right? Whatever that may be.”
Khabib Not Coming Back
While Khabib has teased his return to the Octagon, Hooker doesn’t believe that’s ever going to happen. His main goal is to fight for the title.
“As far as I’m concerned, the guy says he’s retired,” Hooker added. “If you say you’re retired, in my mind you’re retired. My focus is to fight the best in the world. My focus is to fight whoever is holding the belt, and that’s whoever that may be.”
Who do you think wins the UFC 257 co-main event fight between Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler?
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