Dustin Poirier vs. Dan Hooker in the works for UFC San Diego main event

Dustin Poirier is expected to return against a surging contender in Dan Hooker.

Former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier is expected to return against of one of the division’s surging contenders in a main event.

Although contracts have yet to be signed, a matchup between Poirier and Dan Hooker is in the works to headline the UFC’s return to San Diego on May 16, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. They requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an announcement.

Poirier, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA lightweight rankings, came up short of becoming undisputed champion in September when he suffered a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 in September. “The Diamond” put together a nice run prior to the defeat, topping the likes of Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje and Eddie Alvarez.

Since the loss to Nurmagomedov, Poirier (25-6 MMA, 17-5 UFC) underwent hip surgery and had been pushing for a fight that “really excites” him, even if it meant a move up to the welterweight division. He will stay at his lightweight home, though, for his sixth consecutive main event.

No. 10 Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC), meanwhile, will get his second headliner in a row, but he’ll hope this one is less controversial. Hooker got a hometown spot in New Zealand at UFC on ESPN+ 26 nearly two weeks ago and came out with a split decision win over Paul Felder.

Despite some debate around the decision, Hooker emerged victorious and is now 7-1 since he moved up from featherweight in June 2017. Poirier was one of the names Hooker called out in the aftermath of his win, and now he’s set to get his wish.