Kiwi mixed martial artist Dan Hooker looks likely to return to the Octagon in September for UFC 266 at Las Vegas.
According to reports, Hooker will face German Nasrat Haqparast at the T-Mobile Arena on September 26, in the headline preliminary fight on a card that features one of his City Kickboxing teammates.
Australian Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against American Brian Ortega in the main event of a stacked card, that also includes a women's flyweight title fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Lauren Murphy.
UFC 266 also marks the return of popular American Nick Diaz, older brother of Nate Diaz. The 38-year-old last fought in 2015, losing against legendary Anderson Silva.
Diaz will fight former welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in a rematch of their classic bout more than 15 years ago, which Diaz won by knockout.
UFC 266 marks an opportunity for Hooker (20-10) to get his lightweight title aspirations back on track, after consecutive losses.
The 'Hangman' narrowly dropped a decision to No. 1-ranked contender Dustin Poirier in June 2020, before a devastating TKO loss to Michael Chandler in January dropped the Kiwi out of the top five in the division.
Hooker has campaigned for a fight against several top-10 opponents, offering to sign an open contract, but the UFC hasn't been able to find him a match.
A cordial social media exchange with Haqparast last week kicked the wheels in motion for the fight to be signed and Newshub understands the contracts have been sent to the fighters.
The bout represents a big risk for Hooker against an unranked opponent with a low profile, who is riding a two-fight win streak.
Haqparast (13-3) is coming off two decision wins against Rafa Garcia and Alex Munoz, after a January 2020 knockout loss to Drew Dober - a former training partner of the Aucklander.
The two share a common opponent in Brit Marc Diakase, whom Hooker submitted in 2017 and Hagparast beat by decision a year later.
UFC 266
Featherweight title - Alexander Volkanovski vs. Brian Ortega
Women's flyweight title - Valentina Shevchenko v Lauren Murphy
Nick Diaz v Robbie Lawler
Jessica Andrade v Cynthia Calvillo
Curtis Blaydes v Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Dan Hooker v Nasrat Haqparast
Marlon Moraes v Merab Dvalishvili
Manon Fiorot v Mayra Bueno Silva
Uros Medic v Jalin Turner
Nick Maximov v Karl Roberson
Shamil Abdurakhimov v Chris Daukaus
Matt Semelsberger v Martin Sano Jr
