UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev stood firm as he faced the no.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284 main event. While the Russian fighter exhibited his superior wrestling skills, he faced a stiff challenge while exchanging strikes against the Aussie. However, the super-fight now finds itself amidst controversies for the outside-the-octagon specifics. After the judges’ decision split the MMA fans in two, the recent comments by Dan Hooker also put the fight in the negative limelight.
The Dagestani fighter finds himself at the brunt of both fans and the accusations levied by ‘The Hangman’. Amid the allegations, the lightweight kingpin found an ally in UFC star Belal Muhammad. The 34-year-old took to Twitter to refute the indictments made against Makhachev. He further dismissed the statements by Hooker as mere lies.
Belal Muhammad defends Islam Makhachev against ‘lies’
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Notably, the Auckland native, in a series of tweets, accused Makhachev of cheating as he claimed the champion used the IV therapy after the weigh-ins and gained an unfair advantage. These tweets blew up and even prompted the welterweight contender to voice support for his ally.
Thus, ‘Remember The Name’ wrote, “When the hate don’t work they start telling lies”
When the hate don’t work they start telling lies
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 13, 2023
Earlier, the Chicago native also had a field day as he defended the decision that went in Makhachev’s favor.
The accusations made by Dan Hooker
The City Kickboxing team product in the controversial series of tweets had claimed that the former combat sambo champion resorted to the illegal practice that got banned by USADA way back in 2015.
In one of the tweets, he asserted, “Dumb cunt thinks he can fly to Australia hire a nurse to give him an I.V and we won’t find out. Cheating dog.”
Dumb cunt thinks he can fly to Australia hire a nurse to give him an I.V and we won’t find out. Cheating dog.
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 13, 2023
In the subsequent tweets, the former kickboxer labeled Makhachev as a ‘cheat’.
He doesn’t cheat, he doesn’t win.
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 13, 2023
Islam is a cheat. https://t.co/bIdk13C26P
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 13, 2023
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Meanwhile, the UFC champion is yet to break his silence on the same.
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What do you think about the claims made by Dan Hooker against UFC champion Islam Makhachev? Let us know in the comments below.
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