Dan Hooker slams Renato Moicano for using taxes as reason not to fight him in Perth but competing at UFC Paris: “It’s the same tax-rate you dumb f*ck"

Dan Hooker is currently in fine form, having strung together three high-profile wins which have resulted in him being ranked No.5 in the lightweight division. However, the Kiwi's ranking has not gone down well with Renato Moicano, another lightweight contender on an impressive win streak.

Moicano has won his last four fights, most recently a statement-making performance against Benoit Saint Denis at UFC Paris in September. Following his win, the Brazilian took aim at Hooker, stating that he did not deserve his No.5 ranking.

'The Hangman' has now responded to his fellow lightweight contender and claimed that Moicano refused to fight him a month before UFC Paris at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Hooker recently did an interview with Ariel Helwani, where he said this:

"The only person to blame for me being in the top five is Moicano, because he turned me down. He ducked me in Perth, so I skated right passed him and fought the number five [ranked contender] and beat him. He could've fought me in Perth, his excuse was taxes. So he pissed off to France and paid the exact same amount of taxes he would've paid in Perth!"

He continued:

"I called him out for Perth, and he said taxes are too high. It's the same tax rate you dumb f*ck!"

Catch Dan Hooker's comments below (11:25):

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Dan Hooker eyes Justin Gaethje fight amid speculation of his next opponent

Dan Hooker has found himself one or two more wins away from potentially fighting for UFC gold, with the Kiwi currently surging through the rankings after three wins in a row.

Having attended the most recent Bare Knuckle FC event in Spain alongside Conor McGregor, 'The Hangman' was seen talking to the Irishman in the ring. According to Hooker, the pair discussed a potential fight, with mutual interest from both parties.

In Hooker's recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he stated that a fight with Justin Gaethje is the matchup he would like most, outside of a clash with 'The Notorious'.

"[The Gaethje fight] is the one that gets me out of bed. That's the one that puts a warm feeling in my heart." [14:14-14:25 in Dan Hooker's aforementioned interview]