After a thrilling showdown with Mateusz Gamrot last month, Dan Hooker is eager to step back into the octagon before the year ends. The American lightweight, ranked #5, edged out a razor-thin split decision over Gamrot after three electrifying rounds that had fans on the edge of their seats, solidifying his status as one of the division’s most exciting fighters.

Following his hard-fought victory, ‘The Hangman’ wasted no time discussing his future with UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell. During their conversation, Campbell floated an intriguing name for Hooker’s next opponent: former lightweight champion and finishing machine, Charles Oliveira.

While nothing has been officially confirmed, Hooker recently dropped hints about his next move. In an interview with ‘Combat TV’ on YouTube, he revealed that he’s targeting a return to the octagon by late 2024, possibly in December. If this bout with Oliveira materializes, it promises to be another can’t-miss matchup for the fans, showcasing two of the most dynamic fighters in the lightweight division.

“I’ll get another one by the end of the year. I’m bored, I have nothing else to do. [I will be] back in the gym this week, get the body moving again… Hopefully, knock on out in December,” he said.

Oliveira, of course, is coming off a loss to Arman Tsarukyan in their title eliminator on the UFC 300 mega-card earlier this year. Now the Brazilian is looking to bounce back and fight a top-ranked big name to try and get back into title contention for the title rematch that has eluded him since late last year.

And a resurgent Hooker, who is not only ranked #5 in the division but also loved by fans, it seems almost like a no-brainer for him to fight ‘The Hangman’. Especially since ‘Do Bronx’ has defeated almost all of the other top-five guys (except #1 ranked Tsarukyan) over the years. And given Oliveira’s heroics, it is no wonder he is so in demand among the young guns of the division, another one of whom is angling for a fight with the Brazilian, albeit not shortly.

Paddy Pimblett expresses interest in Charles Oliveira bout amid Dan Hooker fight buzz

Golden-haired Scouser and up-and-coming UFC lightweight Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has barely broken into the divisional rankings but already has his eyes set on a title shot. And the #15 ranked 155-pounder has a plan to fight for the lightweight crown and do it quickly.

“I was thinking the other week that the perfect route to the title would be Renato Moicano and then Charles Oliveira or something, who’s ranked two,” Pimblett said.

Moicano, of course, is ranked #11 in the division, and a win over him will put him tantalizingly close to the top ten. But, this being the UFC’s lightweight division, which is arguably the most competitive MMA division in the entire sport, it is extremely difficult to break into the top ten currently dominated by the older vets.

This is why he is targeting Oliveira, who is not only the former champ but also the UFC’s greatest-ever finisher. And with Pimblett’s star power and name recognition, it would not be very surprising to see him against ‘Do Bronx’ after one or two big wins. What are your thoughts on Dan Hooker vs. Charles Oliveira?