With nobody else willing to fight him, Dan Hooker wants to put an end to Beneil Dariush’s winning streak.
Dan Hooker doesn’t see many lightweights calling for a fight with top contender Beneil Dariush, which is why ‘The Hangman’ wants a fight with him.
Hooker hasn’t fought since being knocked out by Michael Chandler at UFC 257 in January. Dariush finds himself on the other end of the spectrum, being undefeated in seven fights and recently picking up a win against former champion Tony Ferguson.
Talking recently with Submission Radio, Hooker discussed his desire to fight Dariush when he returns to the octagon.
“I feel like Beneil is like the ugly girl at the dance,” Hooker jokingly said. “I don’t mean that in like an offensive way I mean that as like skill for skill, I feel like he’s the most skillful guy in the division. I feel like he’s one of the most well-rounded guys but he doesn’t have the name recognition that some of the other guys in the top five have.”
Hooker is currently ranked #8 in the UFC’s 155-pound rankings, whilst Dariush finds himself at #3. The New Zealander has not won a fight since February 2020, losing a tough fought decision against Dustin Poirier before his loss to Chandler.
“I would love that fight, I know he’s on an incredible win streak at the moment but I would love the opportunity to get in there and test myself against Beneil. Even though he jumped up so high in the rankings, I don’t see a single person calling out Beneil Dariush. So I would put my hand up for that fight if he’s ready to go in a couple months.”