MMA Preview – Islam Makhachev vs Dan Hooker at UFC 267
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DAN HOOKER FACTS
When is UFC 267? Saturday 30th October, 2021 - 17:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 267? Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 267? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 267
What channel is UFC 267 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC 267? 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!
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DAN HOOKER LOWDOWN
Islam Makhachev (20-1) finally gets his man after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out and he still has the chance to move one step closer to a title shot with a win. The UFC have built him up slowly but after eight dominant wins, he needed a top ranked opponent. If he did not get knocked out by Adriano Martins on his second UFC appearance in 2015, the Khabib Nurmagomedov comparisons will be even more rife. He is not quite on Khabib’s level, but that does not mean he cannot out grapple the division as we have seen in recent fights. He earnt tough-fought unanimous decisions over the talented Arman Tsarukyan (2019) and jiu-jitsu wizard Davi Ramos (2019) before submitting Drew Dober (2021) and Thiago Moises (2021) to open up a path to the top five.
Dan Hooker (21-10) is a mad man, stepping up on short notice to take on one of the toughest fights in the stacked division. He was not keen on fighting Makhachev a few years ago as he had no rank and value to his name, but times have changed. In the meantime, he has fought more household stars. He earnt unanimous decisions over Al Iaquinta (2019) and Paul Felder (2020) before another war with Dustin Poirier (2020). He almost put the title challenger away too until the bell rang for the round. Hooker then suffered his biggest setback getting knocked out in the first round by Michael Chandler (2021) but in true Hooker fashion he accepted a fight with Nasrat Haqparast (2021) with horrendous preparations but earnt a classy unanimous decision.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS DAN HOOKER PREDICTION
Makhachev’s knockout loss could be a blessing in disguise. It was a valuable learning curve and slap of reality, but it also diluted his hype to allow him to sneak up on the top contenders in the division, collecting wins and confidence.
He is even more prepared to take on Hooker now with his experience, but that said, we have a feeling that whoever wins will make it look easy. Makhachev will take Hooker down and suffocate him for five rounds, cinch a late submission or Hooker will knock him out.
Hooker’s only chance of defending the takedown is clipping Makhachev before or as he shoots in and he is more than capable of doing so. He has a four-and-a-half-inch arm and two-inch leg reach advantage with the technique and power to turn the lights out.
He is a brilliant range striker, but his most potent weapons here will be his elbows in the clinch and huge knees down the middle. Hooker has the technique to land a knee from range but if he times it when Makhachev shoots it in, it will be game over for the Russian.
Hooker is the heavy underdog but has the tools and cardio to pull-off the knockout. It is worth a punt, but we are backing the Russian to avoid the bony missiles and take Hooker down in reach round and he may just secure a submission in the championship rounds.
Prediction: Makhachev via Submission - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Hooker via KO/TKO
