Dan Hooker Brands Islam Makhachev a ‘Cheat’, Accuses Makhachev of using Illegal I.V to Rehydrate
UFC 284 just passed us by, and it was a legendary event bolstered by the even more legendary Australian crowd. Alexander Volkanovski staked his claim as the P4P #1 as he gave Islam Makhachev his toughest fight to date, ultimately losing by razor thin decision.
The event isn’t without its controversies however, as Dan Hooker, UFC Lightweight and Volkanovski training partner took to Twitter to accuse Makhachev of cheating. Hooker alleges that Makhachev used an illegal I.V, which is a method of rehydration that helps fighters rapidly put weight back on after a tough weight cut. I.V treatment used to be legal in the UFC, but now warrants a suspension of up to 2 years.
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
Dan followed up 5 hours later:
Islam is a cheat. https://t.co/bIdk13C26P
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) February 13, 2023
Is Islam Makhachev Cheating?
At the moment, Hooker has provided no proof of his accusations. We can’t safely say that Islam is doing anything illegal as of yet. In fact, Islam looked relatively small against Volkanovski than he did against Oliveira in his last bout.
Because Islam had less time to rehydrate after his weigh-ins, it would have benefitted him to use I.V treatment, no doubt. But, until anything is proven, it is just a supposition.
Dan Hooker and Islam Makhachev Beef
Hooker and Makhachev did fight back in 2021, with Islam submitting Hooker with a kimura halfway into round 1. This factored with Hooker’s closeness to Volkanovski could be indicative of an overreaction on Hooker’s part to any sort of rumours, leading him to slight Makhachev with these comments and debase his victory on Saturday.
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