Think Dan Hooker is too big to make the featherweight limit? Well, think again.
On Monday, Hooker (21-11 MMA, 11-7 UFC) shared on his social media the result of a successful test weight cut with the caption “45 look alive.” Stepping on the scale, Hooker weighed 146.0 pounds – a weight that would qualify him to fight in a lighter weight class than the one he’s competed in since June 2017.
In a recent interview with The Mac Life, Hooker hinted at a potential test weight cut with the help of the UFC and dietitians, but did avoided deep dive into further details.
“I’m doing a little something, something at the moment,” Hooker said. “You’ve got to make your next move your best move. Let’s just say I’m working with the UFC and the fight dietician very closely and I’m doing a test, a little test run. And we’ll see.”
If Hooker drops to featherweight for competition purposes, it won’t be his first delve into the lighter division’s waters. From June 2014 to November 2016, Hooker’s first six fights took place in the featherweight division where he went 3-3. Since moving up to lightweight, Hooker has gone 8-4.
Hooker, 31, most recently competed at UFC 267 in October when he was quickly submitted in Round 1 by surging lightweight contender Islam Makhachev. The defeat was his third in four fights.