Dan Hooker (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although Dan Hooker has been making some big statements in the UFC’s lightweight division as of late, the rising fighter says now’s not the time to reflect on his accomplishments.

Since Hooker was submitted by featherweight Jason Knight in 2016, “The Hangman” has won four in a row since he jumped up to lightweight. During that time Hooker has finished Ross Pearson, Marc Diakiese, Jim Miller and most recently Gilbert Burns. As a result, Hooker has been booked to fight top contender Edson Barboza at UFC on FOX 31 Saturday.

In a recent article posted on UFC.com,however, Hooker had this to say while discussing his impressive run.

“It’s not time for that,” said Hooker. “There is a very short period of time where you’re a professional athlete and you have your physical prime and the physical capabilities to chase this goal.

“I’ll have a long time once I walk away from this sport to reminisce on the good old days of beating Jim Miller and all these guys, legends of the sport — I can sit on my porch and tell all these tales, but as of now, I’m just hungry.

“The longer you stay content, the longer it takes you to set your next goal,” he added. “As soon as I finish one goal, I set another one straight away and I feel like I’m getting to my destination a lot faster by doing that.”

As Saturday’s card approaches, Hooker is ranked #14 in the UFC’s lightweight division and Barboza is #5.