Dan Hooker Open to Fight Usman Nurmagomedov if He Joins UFC

Dan Hooker has indicated that he would be willing to fight PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov if Nurmagomedov signs with the UFC. Hooker noted that he has a history of taking on fighters that others avoid.

He mentioned that many ranked fighters, like Ilia Topuria, are unlikely to take the risk of facing an unranked fighter from outside the UFC. Hooker previously faced Michael Chandler in January 2021, a match he lost by knockout in the first round. He is scheduled to headline UFC Paris on September 5 against Salahdine Parnasse, who is making his promotional debut.

Currently, Nurmagomedov is not part of the UFC, but there is growing speculation about his potential move to the organization as his exclusive negotiating window with PFL is set to close at the end of October. This speculation intensified after he declined a $2 million contract offer to remain with PFL.