ABU DHABI – Dan Hooker is not buying Charles Oliveira’s reason for turning Michael Chandler down.
According to UFC president Dana White, prior to booking Hooker (20-9 MMA, 10-5 UFC) vs. Chandler for Saturday’s UFC 257, the original opponent for Chandler was Oliveira, but “Do Bronx” turned it down due to weight management issues.
White claims Oliveira (30-8 MMA, 18-8 UFC) said that he didn’t have enough time to make 155 pounds, but Hooker is disputing that. He thinks Oliveira just didn’t want to risk his position in the rankings by welcoming Chandler to the UFC.
“The only reason I’m here is because everyone ahead of me turned the fight down,” Hooker said Thursday’s UFC 257 news conference. “They didn’t want to take the risk. They didn’t want to risk their spot. They come up with a bunch of excuses. Old ‘Charlie Olives’ saying he can’t make the weight. Dana, you believe ‘Charlie Olives’ can’t make the weight? I’ve got broomsticks thicker than that boy. I’m here. I’m taking the risk. That means I reap the reward.”
In a recent interview with ESPN, Chandler (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) said he thinks Hooker is the toughest matchup for him stylistically, and Hooker echoed that sentiment.
“It’s not a good style,” Hooker said. “I bet if he could have picked anyone else, it wouldn’t have been me – a long, tall guy. My game is built around defending wrestlers.”
UFC 257 takes place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Dan Hooker rips ‘Charlie Olives’ for turning down Michael Chandler due to weight issues
