New Zealander Dan Hooker is set to return to action after being knocked out at UFC 257 in January by Michael Chandler.
Nate Diaz made a highly anticipated return at UFC 263 last Saturday night. In a five-round welterweight clash with No. 3 ranked contender Leon Edwards. Diaz came up short via lopsided unanimous decision. Immediately following the loss, Diaz expressed interest in returning to work in four months and with that piqued Hooker’s interest.
Dan Hooker expected to face Nate Diaz at UFC 266
“It’s an exciting fight, he’s a guy people want to see,” Hooker told Sportskeeda’s John Hyon Ko. “I think he knows the type of fight I’ll bring to the table. I’m one of the guys who would definitely do that fight justice. We’ll meet in the center of the cage throwing punches and may the best man win.”
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether or not Hooker has Diaz as his next opponent. He only intends to compete at UFC 266 in September alongside fellow featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski.
“I’ve set a date. I talked to UFC, I tried to get on that billboard, so I tried to put my name in the hat as soon as I heard about the event. I’ll be back on this date, Sept. 5. Volkanovski vs. Ortega is on that bill, my team will be ready to get in again, so I’m betting on that bill. I’ve set a date, that’s my date. Nate said he wants to come back in three or four months, well, there’s three months. If he wants it, we can get it. I’m not waiting for anybody on that date. I don’t pick my fights. I’m going to fight on that date and I don’t care who I fight.”
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