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UFC President Dana White spoke out during a media scrum ahead of UFC Fight Night 2 via BJ Penn.com. The event marks the third straight outing of the promotion at Yas Fight Island as part of their partnership. The card features a Flyweight title headlining rematch between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo.

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Dana White often provides organizational updates in conversation with the media ahead of a card. Not to mention, White touched upon a varied spectrum of potential match-ups as well as previewed the company schedule. A main point of focus became a potential lightweight bout that has fight fans excited.

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Dana White chimes in

The long-time UFC boss expressed his views on a possible fight between Tony Ferguson and Dan Hooker. The latter has been calling out for the match-up ever since his recent defeat at the hand of Dustin Poirier.

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“Can Hooker fight Ferguson? I don’t know, we’ll see. He put on an incredible performance in his last fight. He looked great and we’ll get you figured out, Dan, I promise. Like I said, I’m not making fights right now. I’m still over here [Fight Island] doing what I’m doing here.”

‘Hangman’ Hooker has proven himself to be on the most electrifying fighters on the UFC roster given his recent performances. Moreover, he has managed to climb the ranks of the shark-tank like division at 155-pounds. His most recent bout at UFC on ESPN 12 is arguably the frontrunner for the coveted ‘Fight of the Year’ honor.

Dan Hooker: “It’s all risk versus reward”

Speaking out in an interview with the South China Morning Post, Dan Hooker has maintained an interest in fighting Ferguson. Despite a loss of his own, ‘El Cucuy’ is possibly the most high profile match-up in the division, besides the champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

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“It’s all risk versus reward in this game. If I get past Tony Ferguson I’m right back where to where I would have been had I beaten Dustin Poirier. Like I’d be in exactly the same position. So to get your career turned around in only one fight like that is just an opportunity that I couldn’t go past.

“But I’m not saying Tony Ferguson is an easy fight. Like that’s the toughest fight in the division as far as I’m concerned. But it’s not something I shy away from.”

Although the company President remains largely no committal regarding the bout, it’s certainly a fan-friendly affair. Additionally, the victor would lend to providing clarity to the stacked lightweight divisional landscape.

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Darryl Pinto

2,138 Articles

Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer and editor at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his Sport Business Management degree out of Humber College, Canada and has completed nearly 3 years with the organization. He has also served as the Head of Content for the MLB department. Darryl specializes in predictions, reporting, and covering UFC events live. Having competed in MMA at a collegiate level, he consciously attempts to integrate an athlete's breakdown of MMA techniques like striking, defense, and grappling into his penmanship of the sport as he seeks to give the reader a well-rounded point of view. Before becoming the lead MMA writer, Darryl has also written articles for the NFL and boxing divisions. He began watching UFC 11 years ago at UFC 117 when Chael Sonnen went to war against Anderson Silva.

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