Dan Hooker Wants to Be Backup Fighter for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

Dan Hooker is the latest in a long list of fighters who wants in on Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon.

After a nearly three-year hiatus due to injury rehab and other factors, McGregor recently announced that he will be returning to the Octagon opposite Michael Chandler on June 29.

However, McGregor’s word cannot be taken as confirmation of the booking without any official announcement, as the Irishman has teased a return on several occasions in the past.

Hooker, meanwhile, has now offered to be the backup fighter for that matchup if it comes to fruition. “The Hangman” welcomed Chandler to the UFC in January 2021, where he suffered a brutal Round 1 knockout loss that allowed his opponent to secure a lightweight title shot.

On one hand, Hooker has the lure of avenging a loss against Chandler, and on the other lies the promise of a hefty payday against McGregor.

“You obviously get to play the roulette. You get to take the gamble, the exact gamble I would like to take which is be the back-up for that fight,” Hooker told The Mac Life. “Obviously fighting, couldn’t care who [I fight next]. Top to bottom. Whoever’s free but yeah on the [June 29] card and whoever gets injured, that’s like my perfect fight. Either a rematch with Chandler, which is obviously a fight I’d die for or the McGregor fight. Everyone knows why you want to have that fight.”

Hooker is coming off a gritty split decision win over up-and-comer Jalin Turner at UFC 290 that put him on a two-fight winning streak. He then suffered a hand injury in sparring that required surgery, forcing him out of a scheduled clash against Bobby Green last month.

Hooker is willing to try his luck and wait for the June 29 card.

“I would be ready to go probably May or early June,” he said. “But I’d be willing to wait to late June because you’re playing that game where you can step in.

“I don’t mind either of the blokes. I got no personal vendetta against Chandler, that is what it is. He beat me fair and square. I got no qualms about that, that’s just the sport. Conor… that’s a cool fight card to be a part of. I’ve been a part of a McGregor card before.”