Hooker can’t see Usman moving up to LHW: I’ll believe it when I see it

Dan Hooker is interviewed by Joe Rogan following his submission victory over Marc Diakiese at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

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UFC 219: Hooker v Diakiese
Dan Hooker is interviewed by Joe Rogan following his submission victory over Marc Diakiese at UFC 219 on Dec. 30, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“…Yeah, that’s a big jump, and I’ll believe that one when I see it.”

Kamaru Usman might have plans on moving up two weight classes and becoming UFC light heavyweight champion, but Dan Hooker can’t see that happening anytime soon.

Hooker respects Usman’s long-term goals and ambition but thinks the UFC welterweight champ and current pound-for-pound No. 1 would be out of his element against the likes of Glover Teixeira and Alexander Gustaffson, both of whom would possess a massive size advantage over ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ at 205 lbs.

“That’s a massive jump. Like, I’ve bumped into a few of those [LHW’s]”, Hooker told Low Kick MMA in a recent interview. “Like Gustafsson and Glover. Glover is thicc! Glover is built like a fire hydrant, and Gustafsson is just huge and long….yeah, that’s a big jump, and I’ll believe that one when I see it.”

Usman has ruled out a move to middleweight so long as fellow countryman and friend Israel Adesanya remains champion. The 34-year-old Onx Sports talent has virtually cleared out the welterweight division after defeating Colby Covington (2x), Jorge Masvidal (2x), Gilbert Burns, and Leon Edwards.

The only welterweight who might pose a fresh challenge to Usman is Chechnya’s Khamzat Chimaev, but ‘Borz’ must first get past former title challenger Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 (bout not yet confirmed).