MMA Preview – Dan Hooker vs Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266
DAN HOOKER VS NASRAT HAQPARAST FACTS
When is UFC 266? Sunday 26th September, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 266? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 266? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 266
What channel is UFC 266 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 266? 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 NASRAT HAQPARAST LOWDOWN
Dan Hooker (20-10) on the prelims says all you need to know about this stacked UFC 266 card. He has lost his last two fights, but they were to two of the best in the division. He lost an absolute war and unanimous decision #1 ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier and is coming off a first-round knockout courtesy of the recent title challenger Michael Chandler. Those losses have crumpled an impressive three-fight streak which included a knockout over James Vick and unanimous decision over Al Iaquinta in 2019 as well as another war and split decision win over Paul Felder last year in February.
After losing his UFC debut to Marcin Held, Nasrat Haqparast (13-3) was building the hype back up with three impressive including unanimous decision over Marc Diakiese, Thibault Gouti and a starching of Joaquim Silva. That hype crashed again when he ran into UFC vet Drew Dober who TKO’d him in the first round. However, he is picking up some momentum again with two more measured unanimous decisions over Alexander Munoz and Rafa Garcia.
DAN HOOKER VS NASRAT HAQPARAST PREDICTION
Dober was a step-up in competition too steep and Haqparast responded well with those two wins, but Hooker is another giant leap that he has not proven he is ready for yet. That said, Hooker is on a two-fight losing streak, has absorbed a ton of damage in recent fights and Haqparast’s one-punch knockout power has not gone away.
This will be another violent battle on the feet and while Haqparast has the momentum, besides Dober, he has not shared the caged of anyone near the calibre of Hooker. The kiwi will boast the height and reach advantage and his experience enduring striking wars with the likes of Barboza, Iaquinta, Felder and Poirier will give him all the confidence.
He is expected to go about business as normal, standing tall and offloading long strikes, combinations and destructive kicks and knees down the middle. Haqparast will be waiting unleash his own arsenal, in particular his monster overhand left and left high kick.
On paper, Hooker should take this but there are no guarantees in MMA especially when you consider Haqparast’s power and hunger. If Hooker takes him lightly, he could get knocked out, but we are backing the kiwi to put on a solid three-round performance.
Prediction: Hooker via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Haqparast via KO/TKO
