Dan Hooker is campaigning to be the reserve for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) is expected to face Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) on June 29 to cap off International Fight Week. Hooker (22-12 MMA, 12-8 UFC) welcomed Chandler to the octagon in January 2020 but was stopped by first-round TKO at UFC 257. “The Hangman” has never been one to pick opponents but would love it if he could compete on the same card as McGregor vs. Chandler so he could serve as the backup.
“You obviously get to play the roulette,” Hooker told The Mac Life. “You get to take the gamble, the exact gamble I would like to take, which is be the backup for that fight. Obviously fighting, couldn’t care who, top to bottom.
“Whoever’s free, but yeah, on that card and whoever gets injured, that’s like my perfect fight. Either a rematch with Chandler, which is obviously a fight I’d die for, or the McGregor fight. Everyone knows why you want to have that fight.”
In his most recent outing, Hooker outlasted Jalin Turner in a Fight of the Night war at UFC 290 in July. He broke his arm in training just 11 days ahead of his UFC on ESPN 52 matchup vs. Bobby Green, which required surgery.
Hooker said he could fight as early as May but prefers waiting until June 29.
“I would be ready to go probably May or early June,” Hooker continued. “But I would be willing to wait to late June because you’re playing that game where you can step in. I don’t mind either of the blokes. I got no personal vendetta against Chandler, that is what it is. He beat me fair and square. I got no qualms about that, that’s just the sport. Conor, that’s a cool fight card to be a part of. I’ve been a part of a McGregor card before.”
