Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Hooker wants to fight Al Iaquinta on the UFC 243 card in October.
Dan Hooker got back into the win column this past weekend at UFC San Antonio with a first-round KO over James Vick. Now, “The Hangman” wants to set-up a scrap with top lightweight contender Al Iaquinta.
Hooker (18-8) won four straight fights all by finish before losing to Edson Barboza by third-round stoppage in December of last year. In a card that lacked finishes, Hooker’s stoppage win over Vick earned him a $50,000 bonus on the night, and talking in his post-fight interview, the New Zealander said he wants a top-ten opponent, specifically Al Iaquinta.
“I feel like I get another shot. I feel like I’m back where I left off. I want a big-name fighter. I want a top-10 guy. If they’re coming down to Melbourne, they need to sell some tickets. But Dan Hooker against a top-10 fighter, I feel like that makes a lot of sense and that sells a lot of tickets.” (Transcription via MMA Junkie)
“I feel like (Al) Iaquinta’s the one that makes sense,” Hooker said. “That name definitely stands out to me. Yeah, Iaquinta, October 5th, meet me in Australia. Get him on a plane!”
It didn’t take long for Iaquinta to respond. He replied to Hooker’s tweet on Twitter saying “I love it down under,” potentially setting up a fight between the two for UFC 243 card in October. Iaquinta (14-5-1) is coming off a loss to Donald Cerrone in May, but before that “Raging Al” won an impressive unanimous decision over Kevin Lee.
I love it down under https://t.co/siPVRtyzgV
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) July 21, 2019
No venue or city has been announced yet for UFC 243, however in the main event Hooker’s teammate Israel Adesanya will challenge current champ Robert Whittaker for the UFC middleweight title.