Dan Hooker reveals reason behind quick turnaround in Brian Ortega UFC Qatar fight after TKO loss

Dan Hooker has revealed the reason behind his choosing to make a quick turnaround after his recent fight.

The Kiwi combatant last competed at UFC Paris on September 5, headlining the event with former two-division KSW champion Salahdine Parnasse. Their lightweight matchup saw Parnasse land a thunderous liver kick, which was followed by a head kick and punches that fetched him the TKO victory in round one. 

Currently, Hooker is scheduled to take on Brian Ortega, who recently withdrew from his rematch against Renato Moicano that was booked for UFC 331 (September 19). Ortega did so after suffering a cut above his eye in camp, and he's now on a collision course with "The Hangman." 

Dan Hooker explains why he opted for a quick turnaround after his UFC Paris defeat

The Dan Hooker vs. Brian Ortega lightweight matchup is set to transpire at UFC Qatar in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on November 21. 

Speaking to Denis Shkuratov on Submission Radio, Hooker suggested that he's viewing the imminent fight as a chance to return to his winning ways. He stated, "It's opportunity." 

Hooker indicated that he did have to deal with considerable disappointment over how his latest fight ended, adding that he's been recuperating from the experience to move forward. 

"The Hangman" proceeded to highlight that public memory is short but not short enough for them to overlook a defeat he suffered as recently as a few weeks back. He pointed out that, as such, there are concerns about his stepping up to fight again -- as many advisors suggest that a fighter ought to take around six months off after a vicious KO/TKO defeat. 

Nevertheless, Hooker believes he didn't sustain too much damage in the UFC Paris fight, as it was primarily a finish that came about due to his being momentarily incapacitated by the liver shot. 

He explained, "Yeah. I just didn't get that disheartened, and the opportunity came up, and I harassed the UFC to get me back out there and give me the opportunity. And thanks to them." 

A look at Dan Hooker's recent fights ahead of his quick turnaround against Brian Ortega at UFC Qatar

Dan Hooker was riding high on a three-fight winning streak last year. It was snapped when he was stopped via submission by Arman Tsarukyan last November.

That was followed by a TKO loss at the hands of Benoit Saint Denis this February. Hooker's next, and latest, fight witnessed him suffer another finish, as he was defeated via TKO by Salahdine Parnasse on September 5. 

During his conversation with Shkuratov, the New Zealander seemingly acknowledged the setbacks he's faced inside the Octagon as of late. The 36-year-old has, however, emphasized that he's confident about making a triumphant comeback and is grateful to the UFC for booking him to return soon. 

Hooker affirmed, "Look, the UFC has always been great to me. I got nothing but good things to say about the UFC." 

Watch Dan Hooker discuss his swift comeback at UFC Qatar, days after his UFC Paris setback, below (*comments at the 6:24-minute mark of the video):