Islam Makkhachev is finally set to return to the octagon for the first time since July to take on Dan Hooker who replaces the injured Rafael Dos Anjos in a lightweight bout at UFC 267 on October 30 in UAE.
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Islam Makhachev is currently #5 in the lightweight contender list and is on an eight-fight win streak, the most recent one being against Thiago Moises which he won via submission in round 4 of the fight back in July. Makhachev made his professional UFC debut back in 2015 and is 9-1 inside the octagon but has never really gotten the opportunity to fight against a highly ranked or reputed fighter, until now.
Makhachev was initially paired up against Rafael Dos Anjos who had to pull out of the fight due to injury and Dan “THe Hangman ” Hooker stepped up. The fighter from New Zealand is currently ranked #6 in the division, thanks to a fresh unanimous decision win over Nasrat Haqparast in September, which allowed him to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. In his last eleven trips to the octagon, Hooker has managed to get away with eight victories and only three losses, which includes some great victories over Paul Fedrer and Al laquinta as well as a stoppage win against Gilbert Burns, credit to his technical kickboxing skills.
PREDICTION: DAN HOOKER TO WIN VIA DECISION
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Islam Makhachev | Dan Hooker | |
30 | Age | 31 |
5’10 | Height | 6’1 |
155 lbs | Weight | 155 lbs |
70’ | Reach | 75’ |
21 - 1 - 0 | Record | 21 - 10 - 0 |
Islam Makhchev has got tons of hype as he is considered to be the heir of former Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov but Dan hooker will be his toughest opponent of all time. Makhachev as a fighter is all about wrestling and Hooker is known for his ability to control his opponent with his wrestling. The holds a strong five-inch reach advantage. He has placed plenty of fighters in the UFC and he will surely make Islam Makhachev work for this. Makhachev also needs to be careful with Hooker’s devastating leg and calf kicks which have taken out some big names over the years.
UFC 267 MAIN CARD:
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Jan Blachowicz (C) VS Glover Teixeira – UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Cory Sandhagen VS Petr Yan – UFC Interim Bantamweight Title
Islam Makhachev VS Dan Hooker – Lightweight Bout
Alexander Volkov VS Marcin Tybura – Heavyweight Bout
Li Jingliang VS Khamzat Chimaev – Welterweight Bout
Magomed Ankalaev VS Volkan Oezdemir – Light Heavyweight Bout
[Image Credit: Islam Makhachev]
Shashank Iyer