One of the biggest name in combat sport admits he has one eye on a no-nonsense New Zealander ahead of UFC 257.
Auckland lightweight Dan Hooker will welcome much-hyped new signing Michael Chandler to the world's biggest mixed martial arts organisation at Abu Dhabi on Sunday (NZ time).
Ranked sixth in what was widely considered the sport's most stacked weight class, Hooker's fight will be immediately followed by a main event involving the Irish superstar sitting fourth in those same rankings.
And Conor McGregor, who faces second-ranked Dustin Poirier, says he's definitely interested in the outcome of the co-main event involving one of New Zealand's best.
"Hooker and Chandler are potential future opponents, and I'm excited about that," McGregor said at the pre-fight press conference for the four lightweight division headliners. "That's what halted me in 2020 - nothing really presented itself.
"I'm very excited to see how the bout goes in the co-main event.
"I know the two men know the magnitude of where they are at and that's going to be an excitement-filled fight. There's going to be a lot of power thrown.
"I would tell the two gentlemen, if there's any stalling, they should be separating and let the shots fly, because there's a lot at stake here and I wish both men the best of luck."
For his part, Hooker is well aware of that.
In fact, that's the exact reason he jumped at an opportunity others apparently passed up, because of their high standing in the division and Chandler's unranked status as a UFC newcomer.
"This is big, this is huge and I can definitely feel it," Hooker says. "You feel it from the attention it's getting being on a McGregor card.
"The build-up to it just has a feeling that I've never felt around any other card. I feel like it's the biggest fight, the biggest opportunity and the biggest show that I've ever been in."
Further stoking the fires of interest in the event is the situation involving reigning lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who announced his retirement, after his most recent win took his unbeaten record to 29-0.
But he has yet to be stripped of the belt and after a meeting with Nurmagomedov earlier this week, UFC boss Dana White says the champion could fight one last time, if a particular performance draws his attention.
Hooker says forcing something special is counter-intuitive, but is also clear about what could be waiting on the other side of an eye-catching display.
"The work has been done, what is going to play out is going to play out," he says. "I definitely feel like all you have to do is watch my fights.
"If anyone is capable of an impressive performance, I think I'm definitely in with a shot.
"Whatever happens after this fight, I know it's going to be a huge reward, because I feel like it's a huge risk.
"The guys above me [in the rankings] are only not here because they didn't want to take the risk.
"I'm flying over here, I'm fighting the new guy, I'm taking months off and huge risk equals huge reward, whatever that may be.
"Whether that may be from the main event [McGregor and Poirier] or Khabib, only time will tell."
All that remains is to convert on that risk, which Hooker admits wouldn't be easy against a former champion of rival organisation Bellator, with wins over two former UFC champions on his record.
But with a substantial height and reach advantage - and the experience of 15 fights in the UFC to his name - the cool, calm and collected Kiwi is confident the match-up is in his favour.
"I bet if [Chandler] could have picked anyone, it wouldn't have been me," Hooker says.
"I'm a long, tall guy and my game is built around defending wrestlers. I'm expecting, by the end of that first five minutes, we're going to know how this thing's going to play out.
"I'm expecting him to come at me and I'm expecting a fast start, but I'm not one to back down to a challenge."
RNZ
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