‘That Was a Sad Day for Hooker’- Nate Diaz Says He Was Surprised by Michael Chandler’s Debut Victory at UFC

UFC superstar Nate Diaz sat down in an interview with Ariel Helwani for Helwani’s show on ESPN MMA. They talked about things like a fight with Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, and Dan Hooker.

Helwani asked Diaz to clear up the situation with Dan Hooker and Gilbert Burns. ‘Durinho’ thought that Diaz was calling him out, but that wasn’t the case. Diaz was calling out Hooker, and he said, “I was interested in fighting Hooker for sure. I think Hooker is a good fighter, and he is a real fighter.”

Nate Diaz expanded on his answer and talked about Hooker’s match versus Michael Chandler at UFC 257. He said, “He had a hard fight the other day, and I was talking to my boys before that fight and saying probably he’s gonna win, he’s gonna run this guy over slowly but surely, and if not, then Chandler will do some quick fast s***.”

The Stockton fighter said that the outcome of the fight didn’t surprise him and added, “Just like the fight went, is what I expected, and that was a sad day for Hooker, but I was gunning for Hooker in that fight.”

Nate Diaz on Michael Chandler

Diaz went on to talk about ‘The Hangman’s’ opponent, Michael Chandler, and said that he didn’t know much about him. He joked that he was new and goofy, but later said that he was cool and doing his thing. Diaz touched upon Chandler’s Ric Flair styled post-fight speech.

Chandler announced himself with the knockout, and now his post-fight speech has also commanded sustained attention. This will hold him in good stead as he moves ahead in the UFC. He does not have an opponent and could fight the former BMF title challenger.

Diaz quashed all rumors of his retirement and put himself out there. He was talking about his prospects and didn’t rule anything out. It all but seemed to indicate that a comeback fight is in the works.

What would you make of Michael Chandler vs Nate Diaz?

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