My teammate was cheated, UFC do not care: Dan Hooker on Islam Makhachev IV issue

Following UFC 284, Islam Makhachev's impressive victory over Alexander Volkanovski didn't earn the Dagestani fighter the recognition he had hoped it would. Fans and the UFC ranking committee both questioned why Makhachev struggled so much against a featherweight opponent and decided that the victory was insufficient to elevate Makhachev above Volkanovski in the official pound-for-pound rankings.

Then there are Dan Hooker's allegations that Makhachev utilised an illicit IV to rehydrate following a challenging weight loss programme.

The judgement is still out on whether Makhachev used an IV, but it was fascinating to watch the UFC and UFC-affiliated press outlets explain why IV use isn't always prohibited under USADA regulations. The Western Australia Commission guidelines still prohibit them, however the commission has ruled that there is no proof Makhachev used an intravenous

In an interview with the Allstar, Dan Hooker addressed the issue.

“What I’ve learned from this whole situation is: the UFC don’t care and USADA don’t care. So if UFC don’t care and USADA don’t care, as long as your local commission doesn’t care too, I.V.s are legal. That’s what I’ve learned from this whole situation. I thought they were illegal. I thought, it was my opinion and the fans’ opinion that you weren’t allowed to do it. But from USADA’s press release and from any action that we’ve heard from the UFC, they don’t care about it,” he said (h/t MMA Mania)

ALSO READ | Islam Makhachev gassed out against Volkanovski, says Teddy Atlas

He also added he was not going to sit down without telling anything.

“Do I think that the UFC is gonna punish me in some way?. Yeah, I’m sure they will. I’m sure they’ll give me tough match-ups. Whoop-dee-doo. Ask the last 10 blokes I fought, they’re all tough matchups. So bring it on. You wanna give me tough match-ups? Give me tough match-ups. That’s what I’m here for, I’m not here for easy fights I’m here for tough fights. I’m not gonna blatantly see one of my teammates cheated out of a world title and not say anything,” Hooker added.

ALSO READ | Islam Makhachev reveals that his mother wants him to retire soon

What do you think of the statement from Hooker? Let us know in the comments below.

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