Dan Hooker targets BMF clash with Max Holloway or lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev and Max Holloway are two of several fighters on Dan Hooker's mind right now following his stellar win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305. He is now on a three-fight winning streak and believes he is one injury away from potentially fighting for a title.

'The Hangman' dropped several big names as potential opponents, including Charles Oliveira and Conor McGregor, after UFC 305. But during a recent interview with Submission Radio, Hooker shared his optimism about possibly facing the BMF title holder or the lightweight champion.

Holloway is scheduled to take on Ilia Topuria at UFC 308, but the No.5-ranked lightweight will stay ready in case the Spaniard is forced out of the bout. Similarly, Makhachev is expected to face Arman Tsarukyan next, and should the fight be announced, 'The Hangman' will be prepared to step in on short notice.

During his recent interview, he said this:

"The BMF is something that fans love. They've always thrown my name in the hat for it. We'll have to see how it all plays out... [If] Ilia breaks his leg tomorrow, then that fight becomes a real possibility. On the same hand, [if] Arman breaks his leg tomorrow then who's gonna fight Islam for the world title? Whatever happens next... I need to get my a** ready for it."

Watch Dan Hooker discuss fighting Islam Makhachev and Max Holloway below (9:45):

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Dricus du Plessis shuts down Islam Makhachev challenging at middleweight

Islam Makhachev is the current king of the lightweight division, but he has hinted at moving to welterweight in the future. He is known to cut a large amount of weight to make 155 pounds.

Occasional teammate Belal Muhammad recently became the welterweight champion after beating Leon Edwards. This led Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez, to claim that his student could skip 170 pounds and move all the way to middleweight.

Mendez believes Makhachev could find title success at 185 pounds, but current champion of the division, Dricus du Plessis, is less certain. During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, du Plessis' shared his thoughts on the Dagestani moving to middleweight. He said this:

"Yeah, I mean, what can I say? I mean, yeah, everybody can dream, right? I always say never cap your dreams and, you know, dream big, but he's dreaming real big. I'm very big."

Watch Dricus du Plessis discuss facing Islam Makhachev below (10:00):