Dan Hooker makes quick turnaround, steps in to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 267

A top lightweight matchup has been added to UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi.

Following his recent win at UFC 266, Dan Hooker is already set to make a quick return to the cage against another top lightweight competitor as he will face a surging Islam Makhachev, who was recently left without an opponent as Rafael Dos Anjos suffered an injury.

UFC 267 takes place on Oct. 30 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. A source with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the news with MMA Junkie following an initial report from ESPN.

Hooker (21-10 MMA, 11-6 UFC) overcame a number of last-minute travel hurdles to make it to Las Vegas to compete against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266 last weekend. Despite the hiccups, Hooker arrived on time, made weight, and went on to win the bout via unanimous decision on the prelims of the pay-per-view event, snapping a two-fight skid. Now, he is set to return less than a month away against a very dangerous top-ranked lightweight.

Makhachev (20-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) was scheduled to face Dos Anjos for the third time, however, their meeting fell apart yet again due to an undisclosed injury. Currently riding an eight-fight win streak, Makhachev will compete for the third time in 2021, following two submission victories over Drew Dober and Thiago Moises.

With the addition, the current UFC 267 lineup is as follows:

• Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira – for light heavyweight title
• Petr Yan vs. Cory Sandhagen – for interim bantamweight title
• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Volkan Oezdemir
• Islam Makhachev vs. Dan Hooker
• Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Volkov
• Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliant
• Shamil Gamzatov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
• Virna Jandiroba vs. Amanda Ribas
• Ricardo Ramos vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
• Damir Ismagulov vs. Magomed Mustafaev
• Makwan Amirkhani vs. Lerone Murphy
• Alen Amedovski vs. Hu Yaozong
• Allan Nascimento vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
• Albert Duraev vs. Roman Kopylov