Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Dan Hooker has something to say about Dustin Poirier saying he’ll fight Conor McGregor.
With a victory over Al Iaquinta on Saturday at UFC 243, Dan Hooker immediately set his sights on a bigger target. “The Hangman” called out former interim champion Dustin Poirier, which “The Diamond” instantly turned down.
I’m fighting the Irishman next. You’re close but not yet buddy keep punching @danthehangman
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 6, 2019
Dan can fight Cowboy… I’m chilling out until something really excites me. Working on my craft
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) October 6, 2019
Hooker found out about Poirier’s response when a media member asked him about it during the post-fight scrum.
“He’s going to fight who?” Hooker said with a laugh (transcript by MMA Junkie). “If he wants to sit around chasing leprechauns, that’s his own problem. If he wants a real fight and he’ll take it, he knows where to find me.”
For Hooker, fighting Poirier is part of a statement he wants to make after defeating Al Iaquinta, who also faced Khabib Nurmagomedov for the 155-pound title.
“This is the No. 6-ranked guy in the world who went from a title fight two fights ago,” Hooker said of Iaquinta. “That’s why Dustin is on my hit list. I wanted to follow Khabib’s last two fights. I want to fight Al Iaquinta and then I want to fight Dustin and take him out.”
The number 15-ranked Hooker is now on a two-fight win streak, as he holds a record of 19-8 (with 17 wins by stoppage).