Dan Hooker warns Islam Makhachev not to take Alexander Volkanovski lightly.
Immediately after submitting Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title at UFC 280, Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) called featherweight champion Volkanovski into the octagon for a faceoff. Makhachev wants to meet Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) at UFC 284 on Feb. 11 in Perth, Australia, but Hooker thinks the direct challenge probably means he’s underestimating him.
“For Islam to turn around very quickly and to call out Alexander Volkanovski, who I feel like they’re doing it because obviously it’s a chance at the No. 1 pound-for-pound (spot), but I feel they’re kind of looking down and being like, ‘Oh man, we’ll go snatch up this featherweight real quick,” Hooker told Submission Radio.
