For the first time since November, Dan Hooker returns to Octagon this Saturday.
Hooker is looking to build a new winning streak when he matches up against Jalin Turner at UFC 290.
“This fight is an exciting opportunity,” says Hooker. “I’m chomping at the bit to get my hands on him.”
This bout was initially scheduled for UFC 285 in March, but Mateusz Gamrot replaced Hooker after he suffered an injury to his hand.
“I was training, and when I was wrestling, my hand snapped back,” says Hooker (22-12). “It’s something I feel like I’ve done 20,000 times, but on the 20,001 time, I broke my hand.
“Ultimately, it’s given me more time to prepare for Turner, and it’s great to be part of the 290 card. The injury hasn’t even crossed my mind during camp. I’m at 100 percent, and I’m itching to get in there.”
Saturday’s fight in Las Vegas will mark Hooker’s first bout of the year. He was victorious in November during his debut at Madison Square Garden, opening the UFC 281 main card with a TKO win against Claudio Puelles.
“When I got to Madison Square Garden and started walking down the hallway, I saw all these pictures on the wall,” says Hooker. “Someone told me, ‘If you win, you get your picture on the wall.’ So I’m thinking, ‘That’s sick. The next time I come back to Madison Square Garden, my picture is going to be on the wall.’”
Next up for Hooker is Turner (13-6), a 6’3” force who has won five of his last six fights. Turner is ranked no. 10 among the lightweights, one spot higher than Hooker.
“Turner’s young, hungry, and tough,” says Hooker. “He’s got a very interesting way he uses his reach. I’m quite comfortable with range, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts.
“His style is tough, but he’s not going to be able to come out and do the same things he’s been doing against someone as long as I am. He’s a challenge, and I’ve prepared for it.”
While his focus is on Turner, that has not prevented Hooker from following the Conor McGregor-Michael Chandler saga. He believes they will ultimately fight, and hopes to have a rematch against Chandler.
“The Chandler fight was far from my best moment,” says Hooker, who lost to Chandler by TKO in January of 2021. “I’d love another chance at Chandler, and I think it will happen eventually. He’ll look to come in and be aggressive and exchange with Conor McGregor. It won’t be easy for Conor, but that’s a win Conor needs to be back in title contention, which is what he wants.”
Only days remain before the fight against Turner, but Hooker, who is from Auckland, New Zealand, is a long way from home. Thanks to a recommendation from Israel Adesanya, he has plans to binge watch Black Mirror on the Fourth of July.
“Israel’s recommendations are generally terrible, but this one is quite good,” says Hooker, laughing. “Israel put me on to Black Mirror. I’ve been behind the eight-ball, but that’s what I’m watching–and what I’ll be watching the rest of fight week.”
Title bouts featuring Alexander Volkanovski and Brandon Moreno headline loaded UFC 290
Alexander Volkanovski and Brandon Moreno defend their respective titles on Saturday at UFC 290.
Each enter as favorites, and though both are expected to exit T-Mobile Arena with the title in hand, there is no doubt that a real challenge awaits.
Volkanovski faces the versatile Yair Rodriguez. The current interim champ, Rodriguez can strike and dominate on the mat. If Volkanovski can deliver another masterpiece, he will take a giant step toward becoming the greatest featherweight champion in UFC history. That distinction still belongs to José Aldo, who defended the belt seven times during his reign from 2011 through 2014. At 290, Volkanovski is attempting to defend his title for a fifth time.
Moreno defends his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja. It stands as a chance for redemption, as Pantoja won their first bout in 2018,. He also defeated Moreno two years prior on The Ultimate Fighter. Unless you believe Amir Albazi is ready for a title shot, then this fight is pivotal for Moreno to get a title defense against Henry Cejudo. Initially lukewarm on the idea of fighting at flyweight, it appears Cejudo has determined that is his best shot at regaining a world title. For Moreno, their bout would lead to the brightest spotlight of his career.
From the prelims to the main card, UFC 290 is stacked. There are no shortage of stars, and we’ll even be treated to a Robbie Lawler fight on the last bout of the prelims. Ultimately, the focus will be on the titles, and with Volkanovski and Moreno looking to further cement their places in the sport.
Sean Strickland ends the night in victory, but Grant Dawson steals the spotlight
Sean Strickland is moving back into middleweight title contention.
Strickland defeated Abus Magomedov in the headline bout of the UFC on ESPN last Saturday. He won Performance of the Night with a showing that marks his second victory in a row. After suffering two straight losses, Strickland (27-5) is regaining momentum in the middleweight division.
Magomedov (25-5-1) gassed himself out in the first round where he went all out. But he could not find a way to close out the bout, and summarily paid the price for it a round later when Strickland finished him.
The most impressive showing on the card took place right before the main event when Grant Dawson defeated Damir Ismagulov by unanimous decision. Dawson’s grappling was sensational, and all signs indicate he will be a real factor in the lightweight division.
This past weekend’s card could never measure up to 290, but it did feature a couple legitimately compelling moments–with Dawson’s performance at the top of that list.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
