It looks like Dustin Poirier has his sights set on Dan Hooker for his return to the Octagon.
A recent exchange between the pair of lightweights on Twitter led to a verbal agreement for a main event showdown. Hooker shared a photo from his decision win over Paul Felder in the UFC Auckland main event. He captioned it asking “Can you see me now,” while adding in a diamond emoji. For those who don’t know, “The Diamond” is Poirier’s nickname.
Can you see me now. 💎 pic.twitter.com/xsCsrhtnQl
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 27, 2020
Poirier comically responded with a GIF that read, “barely,” before challenging Hooker to a 25-minute main event showdown.
https://t.co/1EJhecYzQV pic.twitter.com/txX7IJwSlp
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 27, 2020
I got 25 minutes for you https://t.co/1EJhecYzQV
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 27, 2020
Hooker is game, responding with a request for the time and place.
Just let me know when and where. https://t.co/bf4Wr93FeP
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 28, 2020
A match-up between Poirier and Hooker next would certainly make sense. Hooker is looking for that one opponent who can edge him into the title conversation. Who better than Poirier, who is coming off a lightweight title loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov this past September. Poirier was submitted by Nurmagomedov in the third round of their UFC 242 main event.
As for Hooker, he is now on a three-fight win streak after his split decision win over Felder. The victory pushed Hooker into the top five of the lightweight rankings. Now, with a potential win over Poirier, he’d be a sure thing for a shot at Nurmagomedov and the 155-pound throne. It will be interesting to see if the UFC books the match-up now that both men have verbally agreed to fight.
