McGregor Says He Will Fight Dan Hooker Next

McGregor Vs. Hooker

“February first, Saudi Arabia. Dan Hooker,” McGregor

“We had a few words inside the ring. But, yeah, February 1 works for me. We’ll get that thing straight away. I’m on board, he’s on board. We just need to get the UFC on board and we’ll get this thing across the line,” Hooker

Nevertheless, it is important to bear in mind the following. The UFC has not made an official announcement. There is also still hope that McGregor fights Chandler next. Their rivalry has been building since their days as rival coaches on the TUF 31 series. Chandler got the better of his man in the coach’s challenge, while McGregor avenged his loss in the individual challenge. Chandler also rejected the chances of facing other fighters for McGregor before he chose Oliveira, showing that he wants the fight.

Will It Happen?

McGregor has also stated that he wants to face Chandler. But if Chandler loses to Oliveira, and McGregor comes out second best to Hooker, then the momentum will not be there. McGregor also faces questions over his fitness. During a recent livestream with Duelbits, the Irishman was seen drinking his Forge Irish Stout. The UFC fighter had previously stated that he was going sober for the Chandler fight. While the fight is off, McGregor cannot be expected to be at his best with his continued drinking.

This is especially true since he is coming off a broken leg, which he sustained in his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021. That was his third loss in his last four UFC fights, raising question marks over whether he could get back to the same level. But Hooker would not be an easy opponent. He has three wins on the bounce since losing to Arnold Allen. His previous fight was a win against Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305. He has been much more active than Chandler, who has not had a UFC fight since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. But McGregor is confident he will be back to his best. 

“One thing is for sure, whenever it is and wherever it is, I will be 100 percent ready. That’s all I can focus on right now. It is what it is. I just take it on board and just rock on. My job is to just go to the gym, be in the gym, be in shape,” McGregor said