Stuff understands both camps have already agreed to the bout and are now in training, with a formal announcement expected in the coming days.
It’s an event headlined by Irish superstar Conor McGregor taking on Dustin Poirier, and as such presents a huge opportunity for the City Kickboxing team captain.
Essentially, it sets up a four-man lightweight tournament and a potential pathway to the biggest fight in the sport for Hooker, should he manage to get past Chandler and the heavily favoured McGregor also wins.
Undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov announced he was retiring earlier this year, leaving the stacked lightweight division without a champion.
McGregor has made clear his intentions to reclaim the belt he once held, but he could well have the rangy Kiwi standing in his way.
Before all that however, Hooker has to get past Chandler – and the festive season hasn’t pumped the breaks on his preperations at all.
Chandler (21-5 MMA) is a former three-time Bellator champion who joined the UFC this year and was immediately given prominent positioning from the company, named in a backup role for October’s title fight between Justin Gaethje Nurmagomedov.
There was plenty of speculation around whom he would face in his UFC debut, multiple sources confirming this week the Hooker fight is all but locked in.
Being on such a big event, and fighting in the same weight division, also presents an opportunity for either Hooker or Chandler to step in and fight in the main event, should someone miss weight or be forced out through illnesses.
McGregor is the biggest name in the sport, and holds virtually all the PPV records.
When he fights, people tune in – meaning the card presents a potentially golden opportunity for New Zealand MMA if Hooker is he’s able to show out.
The Kiwi has a 20-9 professional record, and is looking to become City Kickboxing’s third UFC champion in 2021.
