Max Holloway’s BMF title could survive after UFC 318.
The previous UFC Featherweight Champion won his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, retiring his longtime rival within the fundamental event of UFC 318. Holloway’s unanimous decision win marked the primary successful BMF title defense in history.
Following the fight, UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns suggested beloved former champion Charles Oliveira fight for the BMF title in a rematch against Holloway.
UFC CEO Dana White said Ilia Topuria was now worthy of fighting for Holloway’s BMF title after knocking out Oliveira at UFC 317.
In contrast, UFC commentator Jon Anik mentioned on Submission Radio that Dan Hooker is the ‘most worthy’ contender to fight for Holloway’s BMF title.
Dan Hooker says he’s one fight away from Max Holloway
Hooker made it to the lightweight top-5 in 2019 after going 7-1.
‘Hangman’ went five rounds with the now-retired Dustin Poirier in 2020, in what is taken into account one of the best fight in UFC Apex history. Hooker lost just a few fights after that, getting back on target with three straight wins.
Hooker proved his BMF mettle in his last two bouts, fight-of-the-year contenders against Mateusz Gamrot and Jalin Turner.
“That’s probably the one fight when it comes to the BMF ‘Most worthy’ BMF title contender isn’t so sure Max Holloway fight is next after UFC 318 that kinda is smart,” Hooker said of a possible fight with Holloway on Submission Radio.
“But, I’ve been sitting on the couch so long,” Hooker admitted, after suffering a broken hand within the lead-up to his cancelled fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.
“I’ve been out injured. Fight fans know that. Most those that tune in and watch it, their mind travels very slowly, and I believe it’s eight months or something since I fought.
“So I feel like, and speaking with the UFC, [I’m] gonna must get one other [fight] in and take one in all these big name guys out and one in all these high rank guys out before you’re in a position to step into a giant pay-per-view fight like that,” Hooker said.
“Yet one more…
“Everyone’s just gonna should be a bit bit more patient. I believe we’ve got one in all these guys’ tough fights, but get one in all these guys out of the way in which. After which, yeah, you bought big things coming.
“It’s gonna be either the BMF title or the undisputed title,” said Hooker.
Dan Hooker wants either Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan next
Potentially a fight away from Holloway, the #6-ranked Hooker eyes the remainder of the highest 5.
Initially scheduled to face Gaethje earlier this yr, Hooker recently called out Oliveira, telling the previous champion to ‘get up’ after he got knocked out by Topuria in June.
Hooker also said he’d fight #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, who many imagine is deserving of the following title opportunity against Ilia Topuria.
Nonetheless, a last-minute title fight cancellation for Tsarukyan (injury) at UFC 311 apparently took him out of the title conversation.