‘He Just Beat Number 15’- Dan Hooker Trolls Islam Makhachev for Saying the Top Lightweights Are Scared of Him

UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker sat down with Submission Radio and spoke about a fellow contender in Islam Makhachev. The Russian mauler defeated Thiago Moises in his first main event feature and captured everyone’s attention. Chiefly, there’s been a lot of talk going around about Islam Makhachev wearing the undisputed crown by next year.

Makhachev has complained about not being able to secure the match-ups he’s looking for as his opponents are avoiding him. This is a notion shared by many fans and analysts who believe his imposing skill set has deterred many lightweights from fighting him. However, Dan ‘The Hangman’ feel differently about the situations and shared his thoughts on the same.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 28: Dan Hooker of New Zealand celebrates after winning the UFC Featherweight bout between Dan Hooker of New Zealand and Ian Entwistle of England on June 28, 2014 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“Time will tell [if other lightweights are scared of Makhachev]. Like the fight doesn’t make sense for a lot of guys sitting ahead of him. He just beat number 15 and then he beat 15 and then guys in the top 5 are supposed to be howling his name and taking the fight like.”

“I think Dominick Cruz said it, he’s like ‘What so everyone else ranked lower than me calls me out [then] I’m a pu**y for turning down the fight? Well, then I’m a pu**y every day of the week’.”

“It just doesn’t make sense for those guys to go out there with the notion that everyone is afraid of him. I truly believe no one in the top 15 is afraid to fight anyone else in the top 15.”

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Islam Makhachev: The future is now?

Makhachev is on an 8 fight wins streak and he seems to be gaining more steam with each fight. His recent disposal of Moises via fourth-round RNC submission proved that he’s here to stay. Many believe that for Makhachev, securing a world title is a foregone conclusion.

He is ranked number 9 at lightweight and he’s faced with several marquee names ahead of him. He’s got his sights on several notable lightweights including Rafael dos Anjos and Michael Chandler. No matter who he faces next, there’s no doubt that there will be a lot of eyes on him the next time he fights.

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The post ‘He Just Beat Number 15’- Dan Hooker Trolls Islam Makhachev for Saying the Top Lightweights Are Scared of Him appeared first on EssentiallySports.