5 most important things Dan Hooker should do to upset Islam Makhachev

#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.

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#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.