How risky is Dan Hooker's UFC 281 bout against Claudio Puelles?

Dan Hooker will be returning to the UFC's lightweight division to take on rising star Claudio Puelles. On paper, however, it seems like 'The Hangman' is the fighter with everything to lose, currently sitting as the No.12-ranked lightweight on the roster. Puelles is unranked and will be hoping to take Hooker's spot in the top 15 within the 155lbs division.

The New Zealander is currently on a two-fight losing streak. The 32-year-old lost to newly-crowned 155lbs king Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, having been defeated within the first five minutes. Arnold Allen finished Hooker in the first round of UFC Fight Night 213 when 'The Hangman' attempted to move into the UFC's Featherweight division.

Watch the first episode of UFC 281 Embedded here:

Dan Hooker isn't being fed an easy opponent in New York and has a very real chance of making it three UFC fights in a row without a win. Claudio Puelles last fought against Clay Guida at UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Andrade and extended his winning streak to five fights in the organization.

Hooker will need to be extra careful on the ground when wrestling with the Peru-born lightweight. Puelles has proved to be somewhat of a kneebar specialist since joining the organization in 2016. The 'Prince of Peru' has won via kneebar three times in the UFC, submitting Clay Guida, Chris Gruetzemacher, and Felipe Silva.

Watch Hooker speak about UFC 281 here:

This bout is very risky for Dan Hooker, and hopefully, he has done the necessary training with his camp to secure his ranking.

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When did Dan Hooker last win in the UFC?

Dan Hooker hasn't won in the UFC since beating Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 266: Volkanovski vs. Ortega in 2021. 'The Hangman' managed to score a unanimous decision win against the Afghan fighter.

The 32-year-old hasn't won a UFC fight via stoppage since 2019, with Hooker stopping James Vick at UFC on ESPN 4: Dos Anjos vs. Edwards. Since this victory, the New Zealander has also beaten Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder via decision.

Hooker has lost his last two UFC outings against tough opponents, with Islam Makhachev and Arnold Allen both getting the better of the No.12-ranked lightweight.