Dan Hooker and the entire UFC lightweight division had their eyes on the UFC 254 main event. With the undisputed lightweight title on the line, Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted Justin Gaethje in the second round to secure his arguably the greatest lightweight in history.

While everyone celebrated the dominance of Khabib’s win, Dan Hooker took notice of the man who could have been in the main event, Michael Chandler. Recently signed by the UFC after his Bellator contract expired, Chandler was set to be the emergency backup for the main event.

During the broadcast, the UFC played a promo, welcoming its latest acquisition to the organization. Once the promo ended, Chandler was brought out to speak to Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier to describe his experience with the UFC and Fight Island.

Michael Chandler was asked how soon he could be ready to compete in the Octagon.

 “You know, very soon,” Chandler continued, “Obviously I would love to cool the jets a little bit. I have been in training and in camp since March. The body can handle a lot, I take care of myself, I live the right lifestyle for this sport of mixed martial arts.

“But I would like a little bit of time off. It would be nice to enjoy the holidays with the family. But we will see. Opportunity knocks and you have to strike when the iron is hot.”

The comments did not ring well with Hooker as the ‘Hangman’ took to Twitter to blast Chandler.

“So they brought the fitness model out to announce he needs a holiday!” Dan Hooker wrote.

Dan Hooker looking for his next fight

‘The Hangman’ is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Dustin Poirier. Hooker was on a three-fight win streak until coming up short against ‘The Diamond.’

Khabib’s apparent retirement has added new energy to the lightweight division. With the title seemingly vacant, the fighters at the top of the division are all scrambling to be the next UFC lightweight champion.

Nate Diaz shared a video of Hooker finishing now welterweight contender Gilbert Burns. Hooker seems to have taken that as an invitation to fight the Stockton native.

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Dan Hooker will look to get back to winning ways and hope to bring home UFC gold. Hooker trains with current UFC champions – Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski – at the City Kickboxing gym in New Zealand.

Also Read: Dan Hooker Accepts Nate Diaz’s Call-Out To Fight