Hooker Accuses Topuria of McGregor Tactics

Dan Hooker has voiced sharp criticism of Ilia Topuria’s recent declarations. The reigning featherweight champion announced last week that he intends to move up to the lightweight division. His goal? A fight against Charles Oliveira, the former lightweight champion currently ranked number two in the division. This isn’t the first time a champion has aimed to conquer another division, but Hooker, ranked sixth in lightweight, isn’t impressed.

In an interview with Submission Radio, Hooker accused Topuria of mimicking Conor McGregor’s media-focused strategy to boost his reputation.

“It’s pretty obvious he’s just copying McGregor’s tactics. The first step is creating headlines around your name,” Hooker commented, laughing.

Inconsistency in Topuria’s Plans

Hooker also questioned Topuria’s intentions, pointing to contradictions in his recent actions. After defeating Max Holloway at UFC 308, Topuria publicly accepted a challenge from Alexander Volkanovski, the current featherweight champion. However, instead of preparing for this fight, he now seems more interested in facing Oliveira.

This sudden change in priorities didn’t sit well with Hooker. He criticized Topuria for backtracking on his commitment to Volkanovski after a face-to-face encounter.

“Don’t step into the ring and accept the fight if you’re going to back out, idiot,” Hooker declared.
“You looked him in the eye and said you’d fight him. Man to man, that’s it. How can you back out now?”

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Weight Struggles Add Complexity

Adding to the controversy, Topuria’s manager revealed that his client is struggling to make weight in the featherweight division. Despite this, they have no plans to relinquish the featherweight title. Hooker dismissed this as unrealistic, claiming it’s just another example of Topuria’s team making outlandish statements to maintain relevance.

“It’s unrealistic because it’s not a real plan,” Hooker stated.
“You’ve been challenged, and you accepted. You can’t look someone in the eye, agree to a fight, and then change your mind,” he continued.

What’s Next for Topuria?

Ilia Topuria’s next move remains uncertain, and his recent actions have sparked widespread criticism. Hooker’s comments highlight the ongoing debate surrounding Topuria’s plans. Fans are now left wondering whether the featherweight champion will follow through with his commitments or shift his focus to lightweight permanently.

Source: MMAnytt.se