Dan Hooker's mission to become a UFC champion is drawing closer, with reports he will fight American Dustin Poirier on June 28.
The lightweight title eliminator is tentatively scheduled for the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, although it may be moved to 'Fight Island' in July, if the Kiwi isn't granted entry into the United States.
Newshub understands both Hooker and Poirier have verbally agreed to the main event fight, with contracts to be signed in the coming days.
Ranked No.3 in the lightweight division, Poirier is coming off a stoppage loss against champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last September, but has won nine of his last 11 fights.
'The Diamond' had campaigned for a showdown with Irish star Conor McGregor, but 'The Notorious' is reportedly set for a third fight against Nate Diaz.
A win for Hooker (No.5) would propel 'The Hangman' into automatic title contention, and a probable championship tilt against the winner of Nurmagomedov and American Justin Gaethje, who are scheduled to do battle later in the year.
The Aucklander has won seven of his last eight fights to improve his UFC record to 10-4.
Last time out, the City Kickboxing striker edged gritty American Paul Felder at UFC Auckland in February.
The match-up with Poirier looms as the biggest of his 28 fight career.
"This whole sport is risk versus reward, so if you offer me someone higher than me in those rankings and that presents me with a huge reward, I'm happy to take the risk," he told Newshub in a recent interview.
"I'm happy to step in there next weekend or the weekend after. One or two weeks, I'm happy to go.
"If you gave me someone ranked higher than me, I'll be ready to go in a heartbeat."
