Dan Hooker Felt ‘Added Pressure’ at UFC San Antonio, Wants Bout vs. Al Iaquinta Next

Dan Hooker knocked out James Vick in the first round to get back into the win column on Saturday at UFC San Antonio. It was phenomenal performance, and Hooker knew he had to prove himself after a brutal loss Edson Barboza this past December.

“I felt like I had a lot to prove, I missed this sport so much. Seven or eight months I had since my last fight, longest layoff of my career, I missed it. Even when I was walking out, I was just soaking it all in because there’s nothing better. Fighting Vick in his backyard added a lot of pressure because if you fight me at home, I swear you’re gonna have to kill me,” Hooker said following the fight.

Meanwhile, UFC 243 is still without a location, but Hooker wants on the card, especially if it is in the Oceanic region. He also wants to face Al Iaquinta next on that card.

“Anyone who steps foot on New Zealand soil is going to have to bring a bat and a gun to get me out of there because I don’t go out of there easy, so I knew I had to take him out and not let it go to the judges. I feel like I’ve earned a shot at a top 10 guy, I’m not going to be like some of these guys dancing around and point fighting someone in my hometown,” he added. “I put on a show for my fans, so I’m going to jump that guy who I will not name and I want someone like Al Iaquinta, that’d be a great matchup.”

Following the callout, Iaquinta responded on social media showing interest in the fight. “I love it down under,” he wrote.

Whether or not that fight is next is to be seen. But it’s clear that both Hooker and Iaquinta have interest in the matchup.