Dan Hooker to Replace Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 Against Islam Makhachev

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Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight contender Islam Makhachev has scored an exciting replacement opponent for his bout in October.

The UFC’s broadcast partner of ESPN announced on Thursday that Dan Hooker (21-10) has stepped in against Makhachev (20-1) at UFC 267. Makhachev was initially slated to face Rafael dos Anjos, but their pairing was scratched for the third time last week due to knee surgery for the Brazilian. Hooker vs. Makhachev will likely take place on the main card of this Oct. 30 event that will be held at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Hooker competed on Sept. 25 at UFC 266, receiving his visa and flying into the U.S. mere days before the event to make weight and defeat Nasrat Haqparast by a spirited decision. The win ended a two-fight skid for the Kiwi, who had fallen short to Dustin Poirier in a “Fight of the Year” contender in 2020, and then came back to get knocked out by UFC newcomer Michael Chandler in January. The City Kickboxing export known as “The Hangman” has beaten names like Gilbert Burns, Paul Felder and Jim Miller in a UFC career that began in 2014.

Dagestan native Makhachev has surged his way through the lightweight division since falling short to Adriano Martins in 2015. An eight-fight win streak, with dominant victories over the likes of Drew Dober, Thiago Moises and Arman Tsarukyan bolster a resume that has earned him a place among the elite of the division. Oft derided as a decision-friendly fighter, three of the last five victories for Makhachev have ended by submission.

UFC 267 will post up in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Oct. 30 with two title fights on the billing. Serving as the main event is a light heavyweight title fight that will combine for 80 years of age between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. The co-headliner has changed recently as well, with an interim bantamweight strap up for grabs between ex-champ Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. An important heavyweight scrap between Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura will likely see main card placement as well.