UFC veteran Dan Hooker has explained why he strongly believes he will be Usman Nurmagomedov’s first opponent in the UFC. Hooker has also opined that Usman will sign with the UFC real soon, which is why Islam Makhachev vacated his 155-pound throne and moved up last year.

Although undefeated PFL Lightweight Champion Usman is now a free agent and is heavily rumored to be heading to the UFC, there have been no further updates regarding his future.

Meanwhile, Hooker has stated that he believes the UFC brass will soon ring him up once they sign the 28-year-old Russian phenom. “The Hangman” stated during an interview with Submission Radio that other ranked lightweights and top 155-pound contenders or former two-division champ Ilia Topuria would be unlikely to risk fighting an unranked opponent like Usman.

DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 22: Dan Hooker of New Zealand reacts after a submission loss against Arman Tsarukyan of Georgia in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

However, risk-taker Hooker is always game to fight anyone for a “bit of danger money.” He’s done it before, will do it again this weekend, and is willing to do it in the future too. The 36-year-old said:

“It’s the same thing as when I fought Chandler; it’s the same thing with this Parnasse guy. It’ll be the same thing with Usman. No one else will take the fight. You think Ilia Topuria’s gonna take that risk of fighting an unranked non-UFC fighter? None of these other guys in the division wanna risk it. So they call up Dan Hooker, offer him a bit of danger money, and he welcomes these boys to the big leagues.” [h/t: Championship Rounds]

Check out Dan Hooker’s comments below:

Dan Hooker plans on ruining Usman Nurmagomedov’s potential UFC debut: “Would give me a very fuzzy feeling”

If Dan Hooker’s prediction comes true and he gets the opportunity to welcome Usman Nurmagomedov to the UFC, he would be keen on spoiling the Russian fighter’s promotional debut. During the same Submission Radio interview, he added:

“Like that would be the exciting thing for me with that fight is you know, I you would get another chance to step in there and go up go up against a legacy. Like going to a guy’s hometown and ruining his debut… Would give me a very fuzzy feeling.”

Check out Dan Hooker’s comments below:

For now, Hooker has work to do. He’s currently on a two-fight losing skid, and this weekend at UFC Paris, he will look to return to winning ways by spoiling former KSW two-division champion Salahdine Parnasse’s UFC debut.

[Image via UFC]

Subham

Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.