Kiwi lightweight Dan 'Hangman' Hooker has been confirmed for a key support role at the biggest event in Australiasian combat sports history, UFC 243.
Fourteenth-ranked Hooker, 29, will take on American Al Iaquinta, ranked sixth, on a card highlighted by Israel Adesanya's world middleweight title unifcation showdown with NZ-born Aussie Robert Whittaker.
The Hooker-Iaquinta contest has second billing on the main card at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium on October 6.
- Miocic stuns Cormier to reclaim UFC crown
- Watch: UFC star punches man in pub
- Fight Club Podcast: Adesanya takes villain role against Whittaker
Hooker, who shares training facilities with Adesanya at Auckland's City Kickboxing, knocked out American James Vick in San Antonio, with a performance-of-the-night showing and immediately called for a spot alongside his stablemate.
"October 5, my brother Israel Adesanya is fighting to unify the middleweight title and I need to be on that card," he challenged. "I demand to be on that card."
He also called out Iaquinta, one of the few ranked lightweights without a fight on the horizon. His last outing was a decision loss to Donald Cerrone in May, bringing his career record to 14 wins/five losses/one draw.
"I was going to be there anyway, that's essentially why I asked to be on the card," Hooker told NZME. "I may as well have a fight and get paid while I'm there.
"In terms of his fighting, he's a tough guy. I wasn't expecting to get someone that highly ranked, but that's exciting.
"It's a big show, a big opportunity. I guess if you knock people out, you get what you want."
Hooker also joins Kiwi welterweight Luke Jumeau on the card - Jumeau faces Brazilian Dheigo Lima.
Newshub.
Join us on October 6 for live updates of UFC 243/Adesanya v Whittaker in Melbourne
