The Dan Hooker vs. Nasrat Haqparast fight is once again in jeopardy.
On Monday’s The MMA Hour, Dan Hooker detailed his difficult journey to get a last-minute visa for UFC 266 this weekend. After reaching out for help on social media, Hooker was able to get his visa approved and will be landing in the United States on Thursday, will weigh in on Friday, and will then face Nasrat Haqparast on Saturday. Except now it appears all of Hooker’s hard work could be for naught as Haqparast is having the same issue that Hooker did.
Haqparast’s mother passed away last week, but despite the tragedy, Haqparast said he still intended to fight Hooker at UFC 266. But Haqparast flew back to Germany for his mother’s funeral and is now facing similar visa issues for his return. Taking to social media in an attempt to follow in Hooker’s footsteps, Haqparast made a plea to the United States Consulate in Frankfurt to help expedite things.
Dear @usconsfrankfurt this is my last chance to make my fight on Saturday #UFC266 happen. I’m waiting for my Visa approval and I kindly ask to pick up my passport and visa. I understand that due to COVID 19 it’s difficult for the visa process right now but this is my last chance.
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) September 21, 2021
I tried to call and email a couple times. I’m ready to fly out on last notice and cut weight on Thursday evening , weigh in Friday and fight Saturday. I just need my Visa approved and passport back please.. @RichardGrenell @usconsfrankfurt @AliAbdelaziz00
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) September 21, 2021
I only needed a new P1 visa because I came back to Germany and left Los Angeles – last Thursday for the funeral of my mother. The @ufc gave everything for expedited visa process.
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) September 21, 2021
One of the key issues facing Hooker in processing his visa was the strict COVID-19 lockdown New Zealand is currently under. Germany is not currently under a lockdown, however, there are “substantial backlogs” of visas to be processed, per the U.S. Embassy website, that may lead to increased wait times. Knowing first-hand how slow the visa process can be, upon hearing of Haqparast’s own visa issues, Hooker also attempted to mobilize fans to help speed things along.
#MMATwitter ATTACK! ✌️ https://t.co/zTwliTPBsN
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) September 21, 2021
It was a commendable moment of solidarity between the two fighters and ultimately, either Haqparast’s attempts or Hooker’s seem to have gotten the attention of the U.S. Consulate. Hawparasy updated his Twitter early this morning to inform everyone that he was contacted by the U.S. Consulate and asked to provide additional information, which he did. Now, it’s simply a waiting game.
Quick update – the @usconsfrankfurt needed “additional informations” from me. I just send the informations needed and pray that it gets processed and visa issued until tomorrow….. let’s go #MMATwitter
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) September 21, 2021
Should Haqparast also get his visa approved at the last minute, it will be one of the wildest pre-fight stories in the history of the sport.
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VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Embedded.
The best of Robbie Lawler.
Heck of a promo.
Fishing with Robbie Lawler.
LISTEN UP
The Co-Main Event. Discussing Anthony Smith and previewing UFC 266.
Jack Slack. Discussing UFC Vegas 37 and Bellator 266.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Video allegedly showing Dillon Danis getting taken into custody by police.
The return.
We started this gangster shit @nickdiaz209 @NateDiaz209 @GilbertMelendez pic.twitter.com/AD4RRf7neL
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) September 20, 2021
Hot ticket item.
When Suga finally PICKS his next opponent pic.twitter.com/upWrdJuuLh
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) September 20, 2021
She said yes @SugaSeanMMA pic.twitter.com/3zB9ESN5PR
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) September 20, 2021
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) September 20, 2021
Wait is that @TimwelchMT hat ?
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) September 20, 2021
They said your booked already ?
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) September 20, 2021
I’m not booked! You gotta be kiddin man I literally just left the barber shop too pic.twitter.com/HrwqJUK45N
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) September 20, 2021
Call out.
Max will do this to you, Max will do that to you! Where are you Max?! @BlessedMMA
— GIGA CHIKADZE (@giga_chikadze) September 21, 2021
Ciryl Gane moving up in the world.
Quelques mois après la légalisation de notre sport en France, le MMA français remporte une ceinture @ufc et j’ai rencontré madame la Ministre des Sports @RoxaMaracineanu, qui a participé à rendre tout cela possible
Merci à vous tous également, car c’est aussi grâce à vous ! pic.twitter.com/8vah4bsMaJ
— Ciryl Gane (@ciryl_gane) September 20, 2021
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Since even in the best-case scenario here neither man will be in the U.S. until Thursday, having them cut weight seems absolutely insane. Just run this as an open-weight fight. No fight deserves it more.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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