London – Continuing his return to the featherweight division UFC featherweight Dan Hooker doesn’t feel as if it’s going to be a tough challenge for him anymore. Hooker will cut to 145 pounds for the first time since 2016.
Speaking to the media at UFC London media day on Wednesday Hooker said the cut hasn’t been difficult at all.
“Weight cut easy, jet lag hard. That’s all I have to say about that. People are hammering about the weight cut and getting down to 45, but it’s actually the reverse of it. I’m getting progressively less jet lag, I’m getting closer to the weight and I’m feeling better and better. It’s having the complete reverse effect,” Hooker laughed.
“The weight’s in the back of my mind. That’s easy work.”
Hooker (21-11) faces Arnold Allen in the co-main event slot of UFC London on Saturday night. Allen (17-1) is ranked #7 at featherweight while Hooke remains unranked at 145 but sports a #8 ranking at lightweight. A win over Allen could set Hooker up for a big featherweight bout on his way to a possible title shot.
“It’ll be hard to deny whoever walks away from their fight with their hand raised doesn’t move on to something very big. Doesn’t move on to fighting an opponent in the top 5. The belt is tied up for the rest of the year. We’ve got Korean Zombie vs. Volk then Max is waiting in the wings so the title is held up. So there’s a couple of guys sitting there in the top 5 that are going to be sitting there without a dance partner. The winner of this fight beats one of those guys he’s right there in the mix for the next title shot,” Hooker said.
The funny thing about that statement is that the UFC featherweight champion happens to be Hooker’s teammate. Alexander Volkanovski currently holds the title with his next defense coming up at UFC 273 against Korean Zombie in the main event. Would Hooker be open to facing Volkanovski if he is still the 145 champ?
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. There’s a lot of work to be done before that’s even a conversation that needs to be had. I’ve still got Arnold Allen, he’s got Korean Zombie, then he’s got Max Holloway. That’s a good problem to have. When you and your mate are so good that there’s no one else that you guys have to decide who’s the best in the world,” Hooker said.
“I’m not going to worry about future problems. I’m not going to worry about a good problem to have.
Watch the rest of Dan Hooker’s media day scrum above. UFC London goes down Saturday March 19th at The O2 Arena in London, England.
