UFC 266: Dan Hooker, Nasrat Haqparast Successfully Make Weight Despite Late Arrival In Las Vegas

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

In absolutely astonishing fashion, both Dan Hooker and Nasrat Haqparast have successfully made the lightweight limit for their UFC 266 preliminary card showdown this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada -- despite just landing in 'Sin City' last night. 

With the pair both dealing with respective United States VISA issues ahead of this weekend's showdown, the two only landed in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday following flights from Auckland, New Zealand, and Frankfurt, Germany, respectively. 

Earlier this week, the matchup appeared to be in severe jeopardy on occasion, with Hooker attempting to secure his VISA to travel to the United States on Thursday -- before weighing in on Friday morning at the UFC Apex facility. 

For Haqparast, he returned to his native Germany last week following the passing of his mother to attend her funeral, before running into VISA issues to return to the United States himself. After reaching out to the United States consulate on his official Twitter, Haqparast eventually acquired his VISA after the Frankfurt-based consulate contacted him for "additional information". 

With the status of his VISA momentarily in limbo, the likes of recent debutante, Terrance McKinney, as well as recent feature, Arman Tsarukyan were linked with short-notice bouts with Hooker, however, the latter was soon removed from the reckoning after suffering broken ribs during his first round knockout win over Christos Giagos last weekend. 

Appearing at the official weigh-ins this morning, Haqparast successfully made the lightweight limit, landing at 154.5lbs for his lightweight matchup.

Soon thereafter, the #8 ranked contender, Hooker followed suit by stepping on the scales, himself tipping in at 155.5lbs -- with the matchup official for Saturday night.

They both made it! What a journey to #UFC266!@DanTheHangman - 155.5lb@Nasrat_MMA - 154.5lb pic.twitter.com/OJRxLqI3NA

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 24, 2021

Attempting to snap a two-fight losing skid, Hooker suffered a first round knockout loss to one-time vacant lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler in the co-headlining bout of UFC 257 in January on 'Fight Island'.

For Hamburg-born upstart, Haqparast, he recovered from a UFC 246 knockout loss to Drew Dober to lodge a pair of unanimous decision wins over both Alexander Munoz, and Rafa Garcia.