Dan Hooker explains why Nate Diaz entering free agency is a “dangerous” situation for the UFC

Dan Hooker is explaining why Nate Diaz entering free agency is a ‘dangerous’ situation for the UFC.

It was just this past weekend, on Saturday, September 10th that Nate Diaz competed in the final fight of his current UFC contract. The fan favorite Diaz (22-13 MMA) defeated Tony Ferguson (26-8 MMA) by fourth round submission in the welterweight main event.

In an appearance on ‘The Allstar’s UFC 279’ reaction video, lightweight contender Dan Hooker talked about Diaz’s departure from the UFC saying (h/t MMANews):

“By him fighting out of his contract… leaving on a win, leaving as a huge pay-per-view star — he can test free agency, right? And he now has the ability to show other UFC fighters where they stand in the open market, which is incredibly dangerous for the UFC. If he goes out and PFL drops millions of dollars to sign him, or Rizin drops millions of dollars to sign him, or he goes away and fights Floyd Mayweather and gets $10 million; it’s really gonna open a lot of other UFC fighters’ eyes.”

Dan Hooker continued:

“So, I really can see the UFC doubling, tripling, quadrupling whatever contract he was on just so that doesn’t happen, so fighters aren’t as aware of their ability (outside the UFC) — because it’s never been done with a guy like that in Nate Diaz’s position. It’s usually when guys are going out on a huge loan, you know what I mean? Or going out on huge losses.”

“The Hangman” is suggesting Diaz is in a position to demonstrate where top UFC names would stand should they chose to test free agency.

While nothing is cast in stone, and no announcements have been made, Nate Diaz does indeed have numerous options open to him now and is sure to see lucrative deals coming his way.

Do you agree with Dan Hooker that Nate Diaz’s free agency status could prove to be dangerous for the UFC? Do you think the UFC will anti-up and try to re-sign Diaz?

Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!