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UFC: Nate Diaz calls for Dan Hooker fight at catchweight as Dustin Poirier and Khamzat Chimaev show interest
- The 35-year-old American wants Octagon return against ‘the No 1 welterweight right now’; Hooker obliges
- Diaz tells fans to not get his call-out ‘twisted’ with Poirier, Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor
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UFC fan favourite Nate Diaz appears to be nearing a long-awaited comeback after calling out Dan Hooker for a fight.
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The 35-year-old American (20-12), who has not fought since losing to Jorge Masvidal for the “BMF” title at UFC 244 in November 2019, posted a caption-less video highlight on social media of New Zealander Hooker’s (20-9) first-round TKO win over No 1 welterweight contender Gilbert Burns more than two years ago.
“The Hangman” Hooker’s teammate, the UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, replied: “That’s a good a** fight!” to which Diaz said, “Your [boy’s] the #1 welterweight right now”.
The 30-year-old Hooker soon took notice, tweeting “so 55 or 70?” at Diaz referring to whether the pair would fight at the 155-pound lightweight or 170-pound welterweight division. Diaz replied, “165lbs”, which is not an official UFC weight division but is still possible if all parties agree to a catchweight fight.
Diaz, whose last win was via unanimous decision over Anthony Pettis at UFC 241 in 2019, returned to social media to clarify that his call-out was not directed at Masvidal nor Dustin Poirier.
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Diaz and Masvidal had recently been heavily rumoured for a rematch in early 2021, while Poirier specifically told Diaz he would “whip you [at 165lbs] too”. But the Stockton fighter replied: “The offer wasn’t for you dumba**. Real fighters only. You already lost. And you and your teammates are both fighting your friends. Fake a** fighters.”
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