Cormier suggests that the winner of the fight between Chandler and Hooker challenges McGregor

D. Cormier (photo) says that M. Chandler and D.Hooker have a golden opportunity to leverage their images in the organization. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @dc_mma

O UFC 257 brings the fight between Michael chandler e Dan Hooker, valid for the lightweight category (up to 70,3 kg.), which will take place at the Etihad Arena on 'Ilha da Luta', in Abu Dhabi, on January 23rd. The fighters will be the second biggest attraction of the night, behind only the rematch between Conor McGregor e Dustin poirier. And, in the opinion of the former light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg.) and heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg.) Ultimate champion, Daniel Cormier, the winner must take advantage of the influence and prestige of having the Irishman on the card to call him for a fight.

See too

McGregor predicts outcome of fight against Poirier at UFC 257: 'I'm going to knock him out in 60 seconds'

Excited about UFC 257, Dana guarantees a better version of McGregor against Poirier: 'You can believe it'

Poirier renews contract for eight more fights with Ultimate and says he is not thinking about retirement

“For (Michael) Chandler to be in the co-main event, it puts him in a perfect position. AND Dan Hooker also. If I were Dan Hooker and he won, he would immediately say something about McGregor. Whoever wins at lightweight should say something about him. Because guess what? McGregor doesn't have the ability to not respond and will say something back. He has the power to say something and raise his name. There is a level of stardom that comes with fighting and with this guy that I have never seen before”, said Cormier, on the program 'DC & Helwani', on ESPN in the United States.

Daniel Cormier says he is excited for the fight and analyzed the fighters' fit and the debut of Michael chandler. For him, it will be one of the biggest and most difficult fights of the American's career.

“Challenging fight. Outside Patricio pitbull, which is fantastic, this will be the toughest fight he (Chandler) has ever had. When you look at who it is Dan Hooker today, in his prime, coming off a main fight against Dustin poirier in a war for more than 25 minutes, see that it is easily one of the biggest fights Chandler has ever been involved in”, concluded DC.

At 34, Michael chandler was hired by the UFC after ending his contract with Bellator. In the organization, he became lightweight champion on three occasions. Currently, the American has a record of 21 wins and five losses and has not fought since August 2020, when he knocked out the veteran Ben henderson in the first round.

Dan Hooker, 30 years old, enters combat after a war against Dustin poirier, in July 2020. At the time, he lost by unanimous decision in one of the best fights of the year. The Australian has a history of 20 triumphs and nine setbacks in professional MMA.