Dan Hooker recently gave his thoughts on Islam Makhachev teasing his move upto the Welterweight division. While the reigning lightweight champion could soon follow suit into the 170-pound weight class, Hooker is less convinced. UFC veteran expressed doubt, noting that he is not sure if Makhachev is really as keen to take the leap as people think, given the challenges he may face and the uncertainty of whether he can recreate his dominance in a heavier division.
Lightweight fighter Dan Hooker has made a rather bold statement recently during an interview with Submission Radio. During the conversation, he has stated that Islam Makhachev’s rumored step up to the welterweight division was a bluff.
Dan Hooker also compared it to the case of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who after years of speculation never actually moved up a weight class. But Makhachev is like this as well, according to Hooker. As per him, the concept could make headlines but no fuel to make it happen — for reasons that would be the same as Nurmagomedov’s and calcified career ambitions.
Dan Hooker stated:
[Makhachev] ain’t going up to 170. No, I don’t think so. Khabib never got to 170. Did Khabib ever go up to 170? Like, he talked about it…They’re going to talk about it for half a decade…..And Ronda Rousey was going to beat the men in the bantamweight division. Like, it’s drinking the Kool-Aid and it’s no gonna happen!!”
Why Khabib Nurmagomedov Never Moved Up to Welterweight
Khabib Nurmagomedov never made the leap to welterweight, despite teasing a move to the next division. The main reason speculated was he wanted to end his career undefeated at 29-0 to keep his position as one of the scariest fighters ever in the lightweight division. He dominated and defeated elite fighters such as Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje in the division.
Khabib’s made Levens’ potential move to 170 pounds a dangerous one, as he would almost certainly be hurt physically against larger opponents like Kamaru Usman. Also, his methodical style — inspired by the ethos instilled by his father, Abdulmanap — meant he was, for most of switch, interested in dominating one division, not collecting titles in multiple ones.
Another reason for his early retirement was due to the promise he made to his mother post-his father’s untimely death, Khabib preferred to leave the sport as an active fighter. He cemented his legacy as one of the best lightweight champions in MMA rather than take unwarranted risks in a higher weight class.
Talking about Dan Hooker, the lightweight is up for a thrilling co-main event at UFC 313, where he’ll face the hard-hitting Justin Gaethje in a 5-round battle. Both fighters are known for their aggressive styles, promising an action-packed matchup.
Dan Hooker will Co-main event UFC 313 and face Justin Gaethje
Dan Hooker is fighting Justin Gaethje in a 5 round co-main event at UFC 313 on March 8 at the T-Mobile Arena in Vegas. Both guys are high volume strikers and Hooker has 3 wins since moving back to lightweight.
Gaethje last fought at UFC 300 against Max Holloway and is looking to rebound from a brutal KO loss but his reputation as one of the most exciting and toughest guys in the lightweight division remains intact. This should be a fun one, both guys are known to bring the heat.
Gaethje, 13 performance bonuses to his name, has been one of the most active fighters in the UFC since he started and Hooker has been in some wild, high stakes fights himself. Hooker who has had numerous unofficial “BMF” fights throughout his career will need to bring his toughness and striking to the table to keep up with Gaethje’s pace.
This 5 round fight is going to be non stop action and the fans are salivating for this war between two of the most feared lightweights in the division.
Sachin Singh 
REDDAVENI SAISNEHA 
Ashvinkumar Patil