Marc Diakiese-Daniel Hooker Lightweight Affair Joins UFC 219 Undercard on Dec. 30

No, it's not that lightweight fight, but UFC 219 has got a 155-pound contest on the card.

While the Ultimate Fighting Championship remains hopeful of announcing a lightweight title unifying bout between champion Conor McGregor and interim beltholder Tony Ferguson for the card, in the interim, the promotion has added a bout between Marc Diakiese and Dan Hooker to the UFC 219 undercard. Newshub.co.nz was first to report the news on Monday evening.

UFC 219 is scheduled for Dec. 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The promotion has yet to announce a main event for the 2017-capping card.

Diakiese, 24, is looking to regain his hype as an elite prospect after taking the first loss of his pro career this past July, dropping a split decision to undefeated Drakkar Klose at “The Ultimate Fighter 25” Finale. Prior to the defeat, “Bonecrusher” had gone 12-0 in his pro career, winning and defending the British Association of MMA lightweight title, then acing his first three UFC bouts.

New Zealand's Hooker has gone 4-3 in the Octagon, alternating wins and losses since his June 2014 UFC debut. In his four wins, the 27-year-old has stopped his foes -- Ian Entwistle, Hatsu Hioki, Mark Eddiva and Ross Pearson -- in under two rounds, while Maximo Blanco, Yair Rodriguez and and Jason Knight have taken unanimous decisions over “The Hangman.” His June win over Pearson in his native Auckland marked his return to 155 pounds after three consecutive years of featherweight competition.