MMA Preview – Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles at UFC 281
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DAN HOOKER VS CLAUDIO PUELLES FACTS
When is UFC 281? Sunday 13th November, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 281? Madison Square Garden, New York, (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 281? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 281
What channel is UFC 281 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 281? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
DAN HOOKER VS CLAUDIO PUELLES LOWDOWN
As badass as the ‘any time anywhere’ attitude is, it comes at a cost as Dan Hooker (21-12) is 1-4 in his last five. He fell short in his five-round war with Dustin Poirier (2020) and then got blitzed by the debutant Michael Chandler (2021) in the first round. He then earnt a unanimous decision over Nasrat Haqparast (2021) after some less-than-ideal preparations and is coming off a submission loss to the current champ Islam Makhachev (2021) and a TKO to Arnold Allen back in March after dropping down to featherweight.
Claudio Puelles (12-2) is his next assignment and although he does not have the same name power, he is on an impressive five-fight win streak. He submitted Felipe Silva (2018) with a kneebar, earnt unanimous decisions over Marcos Mariano (2019) and Jordan Leavitt (2021) and is now coming off two more kneebar’s over Chris Gruetzemacher (2021) and Clay Guida back in April.
DAN HOOKER VS CLAUDIO PUELLES PREDICTION
The UFC are testing Hooker’s submission defence again. He has been subbed three times and has been handed an up-and-coming submission wizard. This is a colossal opportunity for Puelles. He is fighting on a pay-per-view card at Madison Square Garden with a clear route to victory against a big name.
Hooker has the experience, striking, three-inch reach and two-inch height advantage. However, Puelles has a Muay Thai background and will be able to hang on the feet hoping to set up a submission. We also do not know how much the wars and cut down to 145 lbs in his last has affected him.
Hooker will be confident wherever the fight goes even if he lands on his back which could be his undoing. Puelles needs one opening to grab a leg and take Hooker’s knee back to Peru. The longer Hooker can keep the fight on the feet, the more damage he will land and could even make it look easy.
A lot of factors point to a Puelles submission which will be a great punt for a bet as he is the underdog. However, if Hooker respects his skill set and keeps the fight on the feet, his durability and skill will shine through, but a Puelles submission is the play.
Prediction: Hooker via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Puelles via Submission
