Dan Hooker gets U.S. visa approved in time for UFC 266 – but when will he arrive?

It appears Dan Hooker will make it to UFC 266 after all.

After struggling to obtain a visa appointment in his home country of New Zealand, Hooker (20-10 MMA, 10-6 UFC) called for help on Twitter by messaging the U.S. Embassy’s Kevin Covert, the Chargé d’affaires a.i. who is responsible for diplomatic business.

His request was answered and after a meeting at the embassy Monday (Sunday in the U.S.), Hooker delivered the good news that he obtained his visa.

“Squeaky wheel gets the oil. “

Squeaky wheel gets the oil. pic.twitter.com/Kr3A4Z63El

— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) September 20, 2021

Hooker meets Nasrat Haqparast (13-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) on Saturday, but won’t be flying to the States until Thursday. Hooker previously explained that the only current flights from New Zealand to the U.S. are Sundays and Thursday. Because his visa was approved too late for the Sunday flight, he will fly Thursday (Wednesday U.S. time) and make it to the U.S. Thursday night – just in time for the weigh-ins Friday morning and the fight Saturday.