Morning Report: Dan Hooker says UFC Austin important occasion will ‘hold alive the thought’ that MMA is an actual sport

Dan Hooker is sort of the showman contained in the Octagon.

Win or lose, the 33-year-old Hooker all the time places on thrilling bouts, and he returns for the beginning of the promotion’s first UFC occasion in December when it returns to Austin, Texas. Standing in his method is fellow light-weight fan favourite Bobby “King” Greene.

Hooker vs. Inexperienced can be considered one of two high-profile light-weight contender bouts on the cardboard. This matchup was initially mentioned as the primary occasion, however that honor in the end went to Beneil Darish and Arman Tsarukian. Within the grand scheme of issues, Hooker thinks it is sensible, but additionally form of silly contemplating which match could be extra fascinating.

“I am not conscious of any such conversations,” Hooker mentioned. all star How the primary occasion was determined. “‘Do you wish to battle Bobby Greene?’ is the primary occasion in Austin. I jumped on it. I really like Texas, I really like performing there, I really like combating there, I really like the state. The Texan from. Then I noticed Dana White announce the battle with Beneil and Armand. I knew that battle was on the cardboard or scheduled to be on the cardboard, so I did not know what to do anyway. I believed it was going to be the primary occasion, so I used to be form of shocked after I was provided the primary occasion.

“That is sensible, proper? When you might have two gamers ranked low, the entire numbers recreation seems to be a bit of foolish. They’re off the rankings, however you do not know that. It is vital to do not forget that this can be a sport, not leisure. You find yourself giving individuals away (laughs). Now we have to maintain that concept alive. “We ranked them and all of it is sensible.” That is silly. There can be days when the a centesimal place participant beats the first place participant. ”

Hooker (23-12) has regained his profitable streak after a tough 1-5 season from 2020-2022. “The Hangman” closed out the 2022 season with a classic second-round TKO victory over Claudio Puerez earlier than scoring a giant win. -Fought a cut up choice in opposition to Jalin Turner at UFC 290 in July.

Regardless of being requested about the potential for headlining the occasion, Hooker was saved at midnight for the remainder of the proceedings. His battle with Inexperienced will make historical past at UFC Austin, changing into the primary five-round non-title co-main occasion on a Struggle Evening card in UFC historical past.

“No, I am sitting in my seat like everybody else,” Hooker mentioned. “They mentioned, ‘Do you wish to battle Bobby in the primary occasion?'” I used to be like, “Yeah.” gone loopy. I will battle Bobby in the primary occasion. ” Then they are saying, “So that you have been introduced because the co-main occasion.” I believed, “Oh, it is the third spherical of the co-main occasion, proper?” I’ve much less work to do (laughs). good! I’ll do this.

“I have never talked to the UFC. I assumed it will be a three-round battle in the event that they did not need it to be the primary occasion. That is sensible, proper?

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dialogue. UFC 295 Roundtable: Will the actual champion get up?

bantamweight. Matt Brown reacts to Sean O’Malley combating Tito Vera as an alternative of Merab Dvalishvili: ‘That is the world we dwell in now’

ny. Joe Rogan and Chael Sonnen return to the published crew for UFC 295

upset. Nicholas Dalby “unexpectedly laughed” forward of upset win at UFC Sao Paulo

joke. Chel Sonnen slams ‘two-faced’ Jorge Masvidal over current insult, Masvidal hits again

will transfer. Daniel Cormier praises Francis Ngannou, however his choices in MMA are virtually non-existent with out the UFC

future. Alex Pereira would not assist Israel Adesanya’s choice to remain out ‘for an prolonged time period’

shock. UFC partes methods with former flyweight title contender Tyra Santos

Three interviews with Mike Heck.

Damon Martin chats with Daniel Cormier.

Sound & Pound.

Embedding 2.

Final 30: DC.

Final 30: Rowdy.

Better of UFC 217.

Fast Spherical: Zappitella vs. Brown.

What a morning. MMA Combating’s Mike Heck reacts to Tyra Santos’ UFC exit and UFC 297 headliner Strickland vs. Du Plessis.

Fumble.

Battle of quarrels.

challengers.

P4P.

Middleweight.

Oops.

Per week of hell.

artwork.

As some individuals do.

Simply Mr. Machi.

Poatan’s prank.

Struggle week.

Music Yadong (20-7, 1 NC) vs. Chris Gutierrez (20-5-2); UFC Shanghai, December ninth

Hooker was spot on with that whole evaluation. I additionally love his honesty concerning the fifth spherical, however you may not anticipate that outdoors of important occasion standing. However I am actually completely satisfied to have that doable further time. It may be enjoyable.

thanks for studying!

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