The MMA world is buzzing with rumors of Dan Hooker potentially facing Charles Oliveira prior to UFC 305. This speculation intensified when a fan asked Hooker about his fight against Benoit Saint-Denis, and replied, “You are me*ss I officially ‘m ko can kiss Charlie an olive”. With no official confirmations or leaks from UFC insiders, and Oliveira dismissing the fight as a “Metaverse joke,” Israel Adesanya is pushing to add his friend and training partner Dan Hooker to the UFC 305 card
Why Recovery Champions Hooker
Dan Hooker’s last scheduled fight with Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night was canceled due to Hooker breaking his hand while training. Hooker has not had a fight since, but Israel Adesanya is determined to change that. On UFC 305 media day, Adesanya made an emotional plea to UFC officials, including Dana White, to include Hooker in the upcoming event. “Dan Hooker needs a fight on this card. It’s cruel that he’s not even here now. I tried to get him here, but he was in Sydney last week. This paper has to fight it. He will fight anyone,” Adesanya said.
Adesanya continued, “So please, if you want to see this card stacked further, hold ‘The Hangman’ hooker. Hey man, Dana doesn’t really fuck, she just wants to fight. He’s not here now, so I’ll just speak for him. Everyone watching: Sean, Hunter, Dana, Mick, please put Dan Hooker on this sheet.”
Relationships that Emerged in Training
Hooker and Adesanya have been training together at City Kickboxing Gym in Auckland for years. Through countless hours of coaching and supporting each other’s work, their friendship and mutual respect have grown. Adesanya’s public push to be included on Hooker’s UFC 305 card underscores their close relationship. “We celebrate each other’s achievements,” Adesanya said. “It’s only natural that I want to fight my friend.”
Considering Hooker’s Firmness
Adesanya recalled a moment in Hooker’s career that shocked him. During Hooker’s UFC debut in Auckland, he met a leg lock specialist. Adesanya said, “When I was watching the [hooker] fight, I was like, ‘This reminds me of Dan’s debut because Dan fought this guy who’s good at putting legs in. He’s very resilient, and he was able to beat the guy and fk him out of that position and eventually finished him off.”
Adesanya highlighted Hooker’s resilience, saying, “Dan said to himself during his UFC debut in Auckland, if this guy gets my legs and he cranks – Dan made a pact with himself to just quit like okay, he’s going to break my legs , good He’s a psychologist.”
Hooker’s Rough Patch
Hooker has suffered back-to-back defeats against top contenders in the lightweight division, and another fight could help his career refocus and recharge Adesanya’s vocal support is not only to get Hooker back in the Octagon but also to rekindle the fire within him.
As rumors continue to swirl and Adesanya’s push gains attention, fans are anxiously awaiting whether Dan Hooker will indeed fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 305 or whether this potential matchup will be the boost Hooker needs to get back on track has he proved himself again as a UFC fighter.
