Dan Hooker (20-9 MMA, 10-5 UFC) joined SCMP MMA, Tuesday, to discuss his upcoming fight against former Bellator lightweight champ, Michael Chandler (21-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC), at UFC 257.
During the interview, Hooker, gave his prediction for the fight, stating that Chandler will be a good match up for his fighting style.
“I’m interested to see what he does,” Hooker said. “Like, he usually comes out guns blazing, on the front foot, pressure, but I like that. You’re gonna come to me. You’re gonna dip your head. You’re gonna shoot in for takedowns. It’s like he (will be doing a lot of the work for me). It’ll be like picking someone off until they try to get in your face, and he’s just gonna do it off the bat. I just gotta set the traps, you know what I mean. I just gotta throw a few landmines down there and see what he runs into.”
Chandler is coming off of a first round knockout victory over former UFC lightweight champ, Benson Henderson, that took place in August. Despite his opponent being much taller than him, this won’t be Chandler’s first time going up against a taller, lengthier opponent. In fact, Chandler has proven in the past that he has the ability to get the job done against taller opponents.
Hooker is coming off a razor close split decision loss to former UFC interim lightweight champ, Dustin Poirier, which he suffered back in June of last year. Hooker has proven that he belongs at the top of the lightweight divisions rankings, and he will be looking to get one step closer to a title shot with an impressive win over the UFC newcomer.
Hooker will take on Michael Chandler in a three round co main event, Saturday, January 23, for UFC 257: McGregor vs. Poirier II, on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Source: Youtube.com
