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UFC Lightweight Contender Dan Hooker Makes Bold Prediction on Champion's Future

UFC contender Dan Hooker is unamused by UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria's recent comments.

Zain Bando

Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

UFC lightweight Dan Hooker dismissed recent comments made by Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria about his desire to vacate the title, move up to lightweight and retire by 30.

Hooker Weighs-In On Topuria's Comments

UFC Lightweight Contender Dan Hooker Makes Bold Prediction on Champion's Future
Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria celebrates his championship victory against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

"It's pretty evident he's just working off McGregor's playbook. Line 1 of McGregor's playbook is 'Keep Your Name in Headlines,'" Hooker told Submission Radio.

Aleksandre Topuria Reportedly Gets Date & Opponent for Highly-Anticipated UFC Debut

Topuria, 27, successfully defended his title in October against former champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308. Shortly thereafter, he revealed to the Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE what the next phase of his career would entail.

"I’m 27, I hope to be out by 30,” Topuria said. “Right now, in my division, I no longer have the motivation to defend the belt anymore."

Hooker said Topuria's commennts are a ploy to force the UFC into giving him more money to stay at 145 pounds, bringing up an interesting argument.

UFC Lightweight Contender Dan Hooker Makes Bold Prediction on Champion's Future
Jul 8, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jalin Turner (red gloves) fights Dan Hooker (blue gloves) during UFC 290 at T-Mobile Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

"The guy doesn't fight that often," Hooker said. "I think he just fights [Volkanovski] sometime next year."

If the fight were to happen, it would be a rematch from their UFC 298 encounter in February. Then-champion Volkanovski had come off two losses to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Sandwiched between them was a title defense against Yair Rodriguez in July 2023, making it a risky turnaround for Volkanovski.

It backfired in a major way, as the now-former champion lost by TKO, ending a title run spanning nearly five years.

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UFC Lightweight Contender Dan Hooker Makes Bold Prediction on Champion's Future
Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria lands hits against Alexander Volkanovski for his KO victory during UFC 298 at Honda Center. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Whether Topuria remains in the division is unclear, nor has the UFC revealed what may be next for him.

For now, the division remains in limbo, as fellow contenders await what's next. As for Hooker, he said he is content with waiting out to see how lightweight unfolds before calling for a No. 1 contender fight.

Hooker most recently extended his win streak to three, defeating Mateusz Gamrot by split decision.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer for MMA Knockout, part of the Sports Illustrated/Minute Media umbrella. He has covered combat sports since 2019 for notable outlets BJPenn.com and FanSided MMA. He also co-hosts a podcast called "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, which airs Tuesday nights at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. A Chicago suburban native, Bando has been enthralled with MMA since 2006 and has been fortunate to attend some of the most high-profile events in the sport's history, both as a fan and media member, including UFC 264, Bellator 297 and Kayla Harrison's PFL MMA debut. He is excited to take the next step in his combat sports writing journey and looks forward to continuing his following of the fight game for years to come. Bando can be reached via email at zainbando99@gmail.com or by social media @zainbando99

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