Dan Hooker is convinced that the winner of this weekend’s Noche UFC main event will be next in line to face Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion.
Former featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes (26–7 MMA, 5–2 UFC) is set to take on surging prospect Jean Silva (16–2 MMA, 5–0 UFC) at the top of the card at Frost Bank Center this Saturday night. Despite several other contenders being in the mix for the 145-pound title, “Hangman” believes the winner of this weekend’s bout should be the one to face Volkanovski next.
“I feel like 100% whoever gets their hand raised in this fight will be fighting for a title,” Hooker told Sky Sports, “because they're the most exciting guys (in the division). I hear Lopes moves the needle. I know Silva and the Fighting Nerds are doing an incredible job. Winner of this fight gets a title shot, and a lot of people will say, ‘oh, there's some other guys out there.’”
UK standout Lerone Murphy (17–0–1 MMA, 9–0–1 UFC) recently strengthened his case for a title shot by knocking out Aaron Pico at UFC 319, while Movsar Evloev (19–0 MMA, 9–0 UFC) also remains unbeaten inside the UFC Octagon. Although both fighters are on impressive runs, Dan Hooker believes their lack of entertainment value will work against them.
“Murphy, I've been told he's too boring. Lots of love, but you know maybe (he’s boring) on the microphone, not as a fighter, but getting out there and selling the fights and shooting the s*** and then doing that side of things. Some fighters just take a little bit more time.
“Move on Evloev or whatever, no one cares. No one cares. No one cares to see him fight.”
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5 MMA, 17-5 UFC) – now a permanent fixture at 145 pounds – is also unlikely to get a title shot, according to Hooker.
“Aljamain Sterling, UFC hates you, my friend,” he laughed. “I love you, I love you. Your rum is outstanding, but the bigwigs, they hate you for some reason. Sorry Cobb, the winner of this fight's getting the title shot.”
