Hooker responds to Do Bronx, denies refusing UFC Rio and mocks his rival's release: 'was it at the veterinary clinic?'

D. Hooker (pictured) provoked Charles do Bronx . Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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The main event of UFC Rio on October 11th, Charles Oliveira, is set to face Rafael Fiziev in Rio de Janeiro. Ranked fourth in the lightweight division (up to 70,3kg), the Brazilian will face the fighter ranked 10th, a fact that has intrigued MMA fans, who questioned the reason for the surprising decision.

During an interview with Ag Fight, Charles assured that he sought other opponents, but unlike Fiziev, they all declined the invitation to face him in Rio de Janeiro. Taking advantage of the situation, Dan Hooker seized the spotlight during a TV program and lashed out at Do Bronx, accusing the former champion of lying about a situation involving his name.

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"False accusation. Do you think that's really how the phone works? 'Do you want to fight the semi-conscious Charles Oliveira?' and I say, 'Oh, no. I'm afraid of Charles Oliveira, with his body floating in the octagon.' No, that's not how it happened, my friend. I was never offered this fight. I requested medical clearance, and he (the doctor) didn't clear me for October, he cleared me for November," Hooker told Sky Sports Net.

Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles do Bronx in the first round. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

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In addition to denying Do Bronx's statement, Hooker took the opportunity to provoke his rival and predicted another knockout defeat in the duel scheduled for UFC Rio.

“Now, I don’t know who can give me the number of ‘Dr. Doolittle’s’ or the veterinary clinic he went to to (sign the release of) his brain, because even if he took out his brain, it would still be mashed potatoes in an MRI machine. I don’t know who watched his last fight against Ilia Topuria and saw his head hit the ground like a basketball and said, ‘You know what? I’d like to see him get a fight in six weeks, to face Rafael Fiziev .’ That makes no sense at all (…) he will be knocked out again. Never lie about my name again,” he concluded.

Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

Ranked sixth in the division, Hooker had been asking for the opportunity to face Do Bronx, despite being in the process of recovering from hand surgery. He currently has no fight scheduled.

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