UFC lightweight Dan Hooker has some advice for middleweight Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis is one fight away from competing for the middleweight strap, and standing in his way is Robert Whittaker, a former champion who Hooker described as the “toughest fight in the division.”
Hooker explained his thinking on a recent episode of Submission Radio.“If Rob gets the job done, that would be the next one in the pay-per-view in Australia there.
UFC Lightweight Dan Hooker Says Dricus Du Plessis “Played That A Little Wrong” Taking Robert Whittaker Fight
But I don’t think Dricus had to beat Rob. I feel like he played that a little bad. I feel like Dricus probably could have got the title shot next off of not fighting anyone because who’s the next logical next step?
I’m not saying he’s got no chance of beating Rob, I’m just saying it’s the toughest fight in the division and he didn’t need to take that risk, he didn’t need to roll those dice.
I feel like he could have beat Sean Strickland and he would have got a title shot off of beating Sean Strickland. If I had to fight Sean Strickland or Rob Whittaker, I will fight Sean Strickland. It’s a better stylistic matchup for him and it’s a much more winnable fight. I feel like he just played that a little wrong.”
Hooker may have a point, as the middleweight division surges forward following the dramatic Adesanya vs Pereira rivalry. Robert Whittaker may be 0-2 against Adesanya, but he still wants to claim the belt that was once his. Dricus Du Plessis, on the other hand, is barrelling forward to a first title shot.
As for Dan Hooker, the New Zealander will attempt to build on his latest victory (a TKO via body kick against Claudio Puelles) on the same night as Du Plessis faces Robert Whittaker. Hooker will face Jalin Turner at UFC 290, hoping to build his first winning streak since 2020.
“Definitely back in the mix. I hat’s a Top 10 win. That’s why it’s such a great opportunity to get a fighter — I was willing to fight anyone the fans want me to fight. If they want to fight me someone unranked again, Top 15, Top 10, I couldn’t care less. Just where the fans think I should be competing and fighting in the Top 10.
Everyone knows you get a Top 10 win, you get a Top 5 in your next fight and that’s just the way it goes. Nothing but big things. Top 5, main event, just go time.”
