'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dan Hooker decided to make the most of his trip to the U.S. last month and is looking to secure his second win of 2021 against Islam Makhachev. The bout will serve on the main card of UFC 267: Blachowicz vs. Teixeira, which is set to take place in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
Following his UFC inception, comparisons linking Islam Makhachev to Khabib Nurmagomedov have been endless. Since the two are long-time training partners and close friends, that comes as no surprise, especially since 'The Eagle' always talks highly of Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev will have his highly touted submission skills on standby during the UFC 267 bout. While most fighters under New Zealand's City Kickboxing banner specialize in striking, Dan Hooker intends to diversify their set of weapons inside the octagon.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
After showing a new wrinkle in his athletic toolbox, Dan Hooker demonstrated that his wrestling skills have evolved. The Auckland native scored multiple takedowns in his last fight and voiced a message to lightweights loud and clear: Dan Hooker is not afraid of wrestling or taking the fight to the canvas.
Today we will examine the 5 most important things Dan Hooker should do to upset Islam Makhachev at UFC 267.
#5. Dan Hooker needs to start fast
Dan Hooker will need to put an aggressive stamp on the opening minutes of the fight to get Islam Makhachev's respect early. It's important to note that this is not a five-round contest. Urgency is vital; however, Hooker's offense will have to be finely balanced to avoid the takedowns of Islam Makhachev.
The danger behind Makhachev's takedowns comes from his submission attempts and ability to control from top position. On average, Makhachev lands over three takedowns in every fifteen-minute fight. Additionally, the lightweight contender goes for one submission per fifteen minutes on average.
With those numbers in mind, it would be advantageous to avoid the canvas with Makhachev, especially given the pace Dan Hooker offers up in the striking department. 'The Hangman' has also been far more active in recent years, which can play a factor in performances.
Some have argued that Islam Makhachev starts at a slow pace. Even if the odds are against Dan Hooker, a fast-start could be his ticket to handing Makhachev his second UFC loss.
#4. Dan Hooker should pursue the finish early
Dan Hooker has faced the likes of Paul Felder, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier, the New Zealand native has seen it all in the UFC. With relentless takedown attempts and submission offerings Makhachev will bring into the contest, Dan Hooker needs to look to finish early.
Simply put, Dan Hooker has far more striking experience than Makhachev. The 31-year-old's striking technique has flourished while working with City Kickboxing. With an emphasis on feints and footwork, the crew from New Zealand are excellent planners. The cerebral approach the team takes enables its fighters to turn in some incredible striking masterclasses.
Dan Hooker has multiple weapons, but the lightweight's knees up the middle could pose serious problems for Islam Makhachev. A well-timed knee while defending a takedown can result in severe damage. With first rounds often percolating at a frenetic pace, perhaps a knee could surprise the Russian native.
With such a dangerous fight and limited time to train, sometimes risky behavior pays off. Of course, calculated risks are more in line with what Dan Hooker will need to do in order to upset Islam Makhachev.
#3. Avoid the clinch and maintain outside distance
Dan Hooker can fight inside the clinch, but in his fight against Makhachev, this area will be a danger zone. During his illustrious UFC career, Dan Hooker has only been submitted once. Hooker was on the receiving end of a rear naked choke defeat he received in 2012.
Dan Hooker will need to play to his strengths at UFC 267. Equipped with excellent reach, Hooker can pose serious obstacles for Makhachev if he is reckless about his takedown attempts. As we saw in his last fight against Nasrat Haqparast, 'The Hangman' showed improvements in his wrestling offense and defense. However, even before then, he was beginning to develop his skills on the mat.
If Hooker can focus on the tools that sent him soaring to the top of the lightweight rankings, this fight might not be as one-sided as many oddsmakers are suggesting.
Islam Makhachev likes to shoot for takedowns immediately, so proper distance control will be essential for Hooker. Thanks to his time at City Kickboxing, Dan Hooker acquired useful weapons like push kicks and leg kicks to disarm his opponents so that he can safely maintain distance and strike from range.
If Dan Hooker can avoid clinch tactics and keep proper distance, his striking will be difficult for Makhachev to contend with. From long range, Dan Hooker is a nightmare to deal with because of his diverse selection of strikes. With the fast pace and pressure Hooker brings to each contest, Makhachev may have his hands full the longer the fight goes.
#2. Dan Hooker's wrestling and takedown defense
Dan Hooker has stellar takedown defense. According to UFC stats, the lightweight is able to fend off eighty percent of the takedowns that have been attempted against him. However, his striking has always been his bread and butter.
Having faced the likes of Gilbert Burns, Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder, Dan Hooker is accustomed to fights that often take a fluid path. His wrestling acumen, combined with takedown defense will be pivotal to scoring throughout the round and maintaining favorable positions during scrambles.
In his war with Dustin Poirier back in 2020, the lightweight's takedown defense was put to the test. Of seven attempted takedowns by Poirier, only one got through Hooker's wrestling defense. Additionally, Dan Hooker was able to secure four takedowns of his own throughout the contest.
Lauded by all, the fight was considered to be one of the best of the year. The performance showcased his ability to wrestle even during heated exchanges. The 155-pounder has made steady improvements in two areas that will be essential to upset Islam Makhachev.
#1. Drill submissions during training camp
While this comes before the fight, it's just as important as any step Dan Hooker can take to upset Islam Makhachev. Hooker's training on the canvas will directly correlate with the success of his performance.
The fact is, Dan Hooker is more than likely going to be taken down. Makhachev has multiple ways to get a fight to the mat, but one of his most effective weapons is the foot sweep. The maturity of Makhachev's MMA game presents a challenging puzzle for Dan Hooker.
Young in Makhachev's UFC career, he simply went full-force for the finish, and for the most part, that plan worked. However, after meeting Adriano Martins at UFC 192 that all changed after losing by knockout in the second round. Ever since that 2015 loss, Makhachev has remained unbeaten.
Similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev is always fighting for a superior position. During scrambles and while standing, position is how they lead their opponent down a path without an exit plan. Preparations and drills are key to defeating opponents as calculated as Makhachev. At UFC 267 Dan Hooker will need to play to all of his strengths if he is to find success.
