Dan Hooker would have to make a tough choice regarding his career after losing to Islam Makhachev at Ultimate Fighting Championship 267.
Notwithstanding his accomplishments inside the featherweight class, he faced a long road to recovery to championship consideration after going 1-3 in his last four bouts, which included defeats to Dustin Poirier as well as Michael Chandler. Following competing at lightweight to begin his UFC tenure, he began to consider a comeback to the division.
Hooker had all the incentive he required to make a turnaround after acknowledging his prior blunders when reducing to 145 pounds, as well as his possibilities at featherweight.
“I didn’t would like to swim against the current at featherweight,” Hooker said MMA Combat. “That was the big pushing element to move back to lightweight.” “You aspire to be a recognized leader,” says the narrator. You want to get in there as soon as feasible since that is your aim. For me, this is the shortest route. I would’ve had to sit in the top ten for another 18 to 24 months if I could have remained at lightweight.
“At this point in my career, it doesn’t provide me with the same level of desire as pushing towards a championship.” It’s a great motivator for me to simply drop down to a weight class where I’m comfortable making and get right back into the mix.”
Hooker could not return home following his bout with Makhachev because of travel limitations in New Zealand, so he spent much more time in the U. S.
This brought him towards the Featherweight Training Center and its coaches, who have been capable of putting him through his paces.
Hooker said competing at lightweight might need strict dietary restrictions, something he will also have to maintain even though he doesn’t have a flight booked.
Nonetheless, he is certain that the shift in categories will benefit him in the long run.
Hooker will face Arnold Allen, who is presently rated No. 11 inside the MMA Fighting World Rankings and has a perfect 8-0 campaign inside the UFC, during his comeback to lightweight.
Hooker has no qualms about diving straight into the firm’s shallow end since he doesn’t want to squander any more time in his quest for a UFC championship.
“When you have a fighter like Arnold Allen on such an 8 winning run, it’s difficult to argue that a man on that game winning streak is not even in championship competition,” Hooker remarked.
“It’s great to ride the wave of a man like him on a hot streak.” With myself, that is really energizing.”
If there will be one possible problem for Hooker at his new location, it’ll be with his colleague Alexander Volkanovski, who now owns the 145 Ultimate Fighting Championship.
But rather than focusing on the negative aspects of the scenario, Hooker chooses to focus on the benefits of working with the finest lightweight inside the game every day.