Dan Hooker

By FCF Staff

Dan Hooker needs to get by Dustin Poirier today at UFC Vegas 4. But, if the surging lightweight does, he believes his case for a title shot will be stronger than Conor McGregor’s.

Hooker has been booked to fight the former interim champ in tonight’s headliner, after winning three straight fights and four of his last five. Most recently in February, Hooker worked his way to a split decision win over Paul Felder.

As this is being written, Hooker is ranked #5 in the UFC’s lightweight division and Poirier is #3. McGregor, meanwhile, is ranked #4, even though the star recently announced he’s retiring.

Recently Hooker spoke with MMA Fighting. While talking about McGregor’s apparent retirement, and the debate over whether the star could receive a title shot, Hooker said this.

“That fight is set, Gaethje and Khabib – that fight is going to happen in September, and I’m the next guy in line,” Hooker said. “That will be a four fight streak over the No. 3, No. 6, No. 6 and another ranked fighter. Those are top-ranked guys.

“The next guy in line would be Conor McGregor, who looking back at it now, has a win over the No. 12 [ranked fighter] in the division. So when you compare resumes, it would be pretty difficult to hand him a title shot over me without me kicking up a fuss.”

McGregor is coming off a quick, stoppage win over Donald Cerrone in January.