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Nicolas Atkin

Dan Hooker has said Dustin Poirier is “chasing leprechauns” if he wants to fight Conor McGregor next instead of him.
“The Hangman” (19-8) dominated Al Iaquinta on his way to a unanimous decision at UFC 243 in Melbourne, then made his intentions clear.
“I’m gonna call my next fight,” the Kiwi said in the Octagon. “Dustin Poirier, I’m gonna smash your face in. Meet me in New Zealand, 2020, I’m gonna end you.”
Poirier, still licking his wounds after a third-round submission defeat by lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, was quick to respond – but wasn’t interested.


“I’m fighting the Irishman next. You’re close but not yet buddy keep punching,” the former interim champion wrote on Twitter.
Poirier then suggested in a follow-up tweet that Kiwi Hooker fight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone next instead. “I’m chilling out until something really excites me. Working on my craft,” he added.
UFC 243: Israel Adesanya likes Paulo Costa fight next – so he can shut up ‘dumb’ casual fans
“He’s gonna fight who? If he wants to sit around chasing leprechauns, that’s his problem,” Hooker said, laughing, when told of Poirier’s tweets at the post-event press conference. “If he wants a real fight, who’ll take it, he knows where to find me.”
“That’s the No 6-ranked guy in the world, he [Iaquinta] fought a title fight a year ago,” he added. “That’s why Dustin is next on my list.”


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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC 243: Dan Hooker says Dustin Poirier is ‘chasing leprechauns’ if he wants Conor McGregor fight

Dan Hooker reacts after weighing before UFC 243. Photo: EPA

UFC 243: Israel Adesanya likes Paulo Costa fight next – so he can shut up ‘dumb’ casual fans

Robert Whittaker is kicked by Israel Adesanya at UFC 243. Photo: EPA

Robert Whittaker of Australia, left, is hit by Israel Adesanya of New Zealand as they compete during UFC 243 in Melbourne, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. Interim champion Adesanya dethroned UFC middleweight champion Whittaker with a knockout in the second round of their 185-pound unification bout. (Michael Dodge/AAP Image via AP)NZ

UFC 243: Robert Whittaker feels he can still beat Israel Adesanya – ‘I hurt him, was controlling fight’

Robert Whittaker hits Israel Adesanya at UFC 243. Photo: EPA

Robert Whittaker of Australia, right, is kicked by Israel Adesanya of New Zealand as they compete during UFC 243 in Melbourne, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019. Interim champion Adesanya dethroned UFC middleweight champion Whittaker with a knockout in the second round of their 185-pound unification bout. (Michael Dodge/AAP Image via AP)

UFC 243: Israel Adesanya knocks out Robert Whittaker to claim undisputed middleweight title

Robert Whittaker is hit by Israel Adesanya at UFC 243. Photos: AP

UFC 243: Dana White open to Jon Jones vs Israel Adesanya as trash talk intensifies

Israel Adesanya faces Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 on Sunday. Photo: Instagram

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts


‘The Hangman’ calls out former interim champion after dominating Al Iaquinta in Melbourne
‘The Diamond’ shoots down the idea, but Kiwi says ‘if he wants a real fight, he knows where to find me’



‘The Hangman’ calls out former interim champion at UFC 243 after beating Al Iaquinta – ‘if he wants a real fight, he knows where to find me’.
