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

D. Hooker (photo) provoked Charles of the Bronx. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Protagonist of UFC Rio on October 11, Charles of the Bronx is set to face Raphael Fiziev in the Marvelous City. Ranked fourth in the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), the Brazilian faces the 10th-ranked player, a fact that generated intrigue among MMA fans, who questioned the reason for the surprising decision.

During an interview with Ag Fight, Charles confirmed that he had sought out other opponents, but unlike Fiziev, they all declined the invitation to face him in Rio de Janeiro. Keeping an eye on the situation, Dan Hooker took advantage of the spotlight during a TV show and fired 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 of the 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 for Doctor Doolittle’s or the veterinary clinic he went to to sign his brain release, because if he took his brain out, it would still be mashed potatoes in an MRI machine. I don’t know who watched his last fight against Ilia Topuria and watched his head hit the ground like a basketball and said, 'You know what? I'd like to see you get a fight in six weeks, to face Raphael Fiziev'. This doesn't make any sense (…) he will be knocked out again. Never lie about my name again”, he concluded.

Ilia Topuria won Charles of the Bronx No. 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.