Dan Hooker recently explained how extending the rounds from three to five against Islam Makhachev puts him to advantage.
Hooker is all set to take on Makhachev at UFC 267 on October 30 in a lightweight bout. Ahead of the fight, the Hangman gave an interview to the ‘Submission Radio‘ YouTube channel. During the interview, Hooker was asked about how much the fight will change now as it has shifted from a three-round to a five-round fight. To this, Hooker reacted by saying it does not change anything in his mind on how to prepare for the fight. ” I don’t care, I just feel like I’m the better fighter,” said Hooker.
According to Hooker, it’s better to make the fight longer as longer fights help in bringing the best in the fighters. ” The longer period of time you get to show that then that’s the better,” said Hooker. The Kiwi explained that championship fights are five rounds because time separates the better one between them both in about. “The true testament to your skill and ability as a martial artist is time,” Hooker added.
The bout between Hooker and Makhachev was originally set as a three-round fight but Hooker thought that it would be a good idea to make it a five-round fight. He took to Twitter this Sunday challenging Makhachev to make the fight five rounds. It didn’t take Makhachev much time to respond as the Dagestani replied by saying “ it’s worse for you“.
Let’s make it 5 rounds? ????
— Dan Hangman Hooker (@danthehangman) October 22, 2021
It’s worse for you https://t.co/P02zEv67iw
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) October 23, 2021
However, The Hangman believes that he is ready for a 5 round bout as he went on to say:
“I feel like a five-rounder. You know, I just finished one of the last hard sessions of my camp and I’m feeling like a five-rounder. So, if we can make that happen, then I’m 100 percent in. Let’s make it five. I feel like people are intrigued by this matchup, as intrigued by this matchup as the co-main (event) and main (event). So, let’s do it justice.”
Even after taking a fight on short notice, Hooker feels that his fitness is up to the level for a five rounds bout. He even said that he was “wrestling for 45 minutes straight and feeling good, feeling sharp, feeling fresh, feeling like everything was technically there.”
Did Dan Hooker take the right decision by accepting the fight on short notice?
Hooker has gained an enormous amount of respect and popularity in recent times and many fight fans are calling him out as the real BMF in UFC and the fighter delivers it every time. Hooker throughout his career has been part of some of the greatest fights in the UFC in recent times. Win or lose, Hooker always manages to win the hearts of many UFC fans.
Other than his performance inside the octagon, Hooker has been a true fighter outside too. With other fighters coming off with constant excuses for taking part in fights regularly, Hooker is the opposite of that. He has taken fights with very short notice and even managed to win them.
In his last fight against Nasrat Haqparast, Hooker faced problems with his visa. Hooker then fought with the New Zealand embassy to grant him the U.S visa and arrive in the states a few hours before the fight. Just after landing, Hooker made it to the weights and even won the fight. After that, the fighter didn’t even waste any time taking his next fight against Makhachev who is one of the best in the division. However, it is no secret that The Hangman has lost 2 of his last three fights. So, taking a fight with such short notice against such a sharp fighter might not be a good idea.
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