Hooker calls out Poirier, who says he’s fighting McGregor

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dan Hooker defeated Al Iaquinta in the UFC 243 co-main event Saturday night in Melbourne, Australia. Dan Hooker was fired up after the biggest win of his career Saturday night at …

UFC 243: Iaquinta v Hooker

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Dan Hooker defeated Al Iaquinta in the UFC 243 co-main event Saturday night in Melbourne, Australia.

Dan Hooker was fired up after the biggest win of his career Saturday night at UFC 243.

“The Hangman” dominated Al Iaquinta en route to a unanimous decision win in Melbourne, Australia. After the win, which improved Hooker’s winning streak to two in a row, Hooker called out recent lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier.

“I’m gonna announce my next fight,” Hooker said at the beginning of his post-fight interview. “Dustin Poirier, I’m going to smash your face in. Meet me in New Zealand, 2020. I’m gonna end you.”

Poirier, who is coming off a submission loss to champ Khabib Nurmagomedov last month at UFC 242, quickly responded to Hooker via social media. “The Diamond” seemingly isn’t interested at this time, also claiming he is going to fight Conor McGregor next.

“I’m fighting the Irishman next. You’re close but not yet buddy keep punching @danthehangman,” Poirier wrote.

Poirier suggested Hooker instead face Donald Cerrone, who suffered a knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in September. Cerrone, who also holds a win over Iaquinta, has lost two in a row.

“Dan can fight Cowboy,” Poirier wrote. “I’m chilling out until something really excites me. Working on my craft.”

In the UFC 243 main event, Israel Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker in the second round, earning the undisputed UFC middleweight title.