Dan Hooker doesn’t believe in a potential UFC hit: “Come on, guys…!”

Dan Hooker doesn’t think there’s much chance that Ilia Topuria will agree to face Usman Nurmagomedov in the UFC. “The Hangman,” in an interview with Submission Radio, stated that taking on such a strong unranked fighter would involve too much risk. According to the New Zealander, these are exactly the kinds of challenges that go to fighters willing to put everything on the line—like himself.

This weekend, Hooker will be in Paris, where he’ll serve as the host for Salahdine Parnasse’s debut. The former two-time KSW champion has made his way into the Octagon of the world’s largest MMA organization and has immediately been matched against an extremely tough opponent. A victory over “The Hangman” could propel the French phenom straight into the UFC lightweight rankings.

Hooker doesn’t believe a Topuria vs. Nurmagomedov fight will happen. “No one will take that risk.”

Parnasse may not be the only big name to join the UFC’s incredibly strong lightweight division in the near future. There’s also increasing talk about Usman Nurmagomedov’s future. The Russian, who has competed in Bellator and then the PFL in recent years, has fulfilled his contract and is rumored to be moving to the world’s largest MMA organization.

Nurmagomedov’s name and his achievements to date have fans already speculating about a potential opponent for his debut. Many believe that a fighter of this caliber should face someone from the very top right away.

Ilia Topuria’s name even came up among the suggestions. Such a matchup would carry additional significance. “El Matador” has long been seeking a matchup with Islam Makhachev. If he is unable to face the former champion, he could take on another representative of the Dagestan school and a protégé of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Hooker believes, however, that fans hoping for such a scenario may be in for a big disappointment. In an interview with Submission Radio, “The Hangman” highlighted the risk-reward ratio. Nurmagomedov could enter the UFC with a stellar reputation, but without a spot in the organization’s official rankings.

– People are saying, “Usman will come to the UFC and face Ilia Topuria.” Are you guys out of your f***ing minds?! Get serious. Do you think Ilia Topuria would take the risk of fighting someone who isn’t ranked in the UFC? No one’s going to take that risk.

The New Zealander knows exactly what it’s like for a fighter to face a dangerous opponent who’s just joining the organization. He’ll soon find himself in exactly that situation when he faces Parnasse.

Hooker also brought up the offer of a fight against Michael Chandler. In his opinion, the UFC turns to him in such situations precisely because he’s willing to take risks that other top fighters prefer to avoid.

– That’s why I was offered the fight against Chandler. And that’s why they’re paying me to fight Parnasse—because no one else is willing to go all in. So they call Dan Hooker, offer him a sum with a risk premium, and he welcomes the newcomers to the big boys’ league.

First, “The Hangman” will have to back up those words with his performance. Parnasse is entering the UFC with high expectations, and a victory over such a recognizable and highly ranked opponent could immediately open the door for the Frenchman to the most important fights in the lightweight division.