The Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight has finally been made official and Dan Hooker, who is coming off back-to-back wins against Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner thinks he should be the backup in case one of the two marquee UFC fighters is unable to go for any reason.
Although Hooker has already fought Chandler, losing by TKO in the first round at UFC 257, he welcomes the opportunity to either have a rematch with Chandler or to test his skills against “The Notorious.”
“You obviously get to play the roulette,” Hooker said in a recent episode of Pub Talk. “You get to take the gamble, the exact gamble I would like to take, which is be the backup for that fight. Obviously fighting, couldn’t care who, top to bottom.
“Whoever’s free, but yeah, on that card and whoever gets injured, that’s like my perfect fight. Either a rematch with Chandler, which is obviously a fight I’d die for, or the McGregor fight. Everyone knows why you want to have that fight.”
After beating Jalin Turner by decision at UFC 290, Hooker was slated to fight Bobby Green on the ESPN 52 card, but suffered a broken arm in training which required surgery. Hooker said his recovery is still ongoing but a June fight slot would be ideal.
“I would be ready to go probably May or early June,” Hooker added. “But I would be willing to wait to late June because you’re playing that game where you can step in. I don’t mind either of the blokes. I got no personal vendetta against like Chandler, that is what it is. He beat me fair and square. I got no qualms about that, that’s just the sport. Conor, that’s a cool fight card to be a part of. I’ve been a part of a McGregor card before.”
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) are expected to square off against on June 29th as part of International Fight Week.
What do you think of the fact that Dan Hooker wants to be the backup for the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight? Would you like to see Hooker rematch Chandler or fight Conor? Let us know in the comments.
