Hooker Calls Out Oliveira, Stays Ready For Ferguson

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

“The Hangman” also believes “Do Bronx” is getting “carried away” with some of his recent callouts.

Dan Hooker has no plans to sit around and see how the lightweight division shakes out and is instead planning his 2020 comeback. But don’t expect “The Hangman” to settle for just any random name after his “Fight of the Night” performance against Dustin Poirier at UFC on ESPN 12.

Charles Oliveira and Tony Ferguson, however, ”make the most sense.”

“They shuffled the rankings around a little bit. Felder dropped below Oliveira, and Dustin moved above Tony, so, it’s interesting times,” Hooker told Submission Radio. “So, obviously the two fights that make the most sense is Dustin verses Tony, and then me verses Oliveira. If Dustin wants to sit the rest of the year out and Tony wants to fight, well then I’m the next logical fight for Tony. So, I want to get back in there before the end of the year for sure.”

With his win over Hooker (20-9), who holds steady at No. 5 in the official rankings, Poirier improved to No. 2 in the 155-pound division. Ferguson (25-4) dropped to No. 3, one spot above former champion Conor McGregor (22-4), while the streaking Oliveira (29-8, 1 NC) sits just outside the Top 5 at No. 6.

“But then Oliveira, he’s getting carried away calling out Poirier and calling out Conor, and he’s beating around the bush, trying to say anyone except me or Tony,” Hooker continued. “He’s a funny guy. But yeah, I’ll have to wait and see, because obviously Tony makes way more sense for me. But if I have to go back and then solidify my place in the top five, I’m happy to do that. I just want to fight and I want to fight before the end of the year, and either of those two names makes sense for me.”

Outside of Justin Gaethje, no one in the Top 10 is currently booked to compete.