The exciting finishes of UFC Auckland’s main card kept coming in the fourth bout with a beautifully timed knee by Dan Hooker.
Dan Hooker has gone 3-3 in the UFC, alternating wins and losses since his debut. If you like patterns, he’s due for a win coming off a loss against Jason Knight.
Ross Pearson has been in the UFC since winning the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter in 2009. The Brit has racked up an 11-10 record ranging from featherweight to welterweight. Pearson is currently struggling, dropping his last three fights.
The fight had plenty of momentum shifts early on. Dan Hooker would land a solid leg kick and jab, and Pearson would answer with a heavy combination. Pearson made Dan Hooker aware of his wrestling by shooting for a takedown then landing a left.
The outside leg kick was the weapon of choice for the lanky Dan Hooker, but he also mixed in front kick to the chin of Ross Pearson. Hooker’s range won him the initial round in front of his home crowd.
Hooker kicked off the second round with a stiff jab, and it took about 90 seconds for Pearson to catch on to the timing of the jab. Pearson started slipping the jab and nailing Hooker with a combination. He even had a sequence where it seemed Hooker was in trouble along the fence.
But remember Pearson hinting at his wrestling earlier? It came back to bite him as he shot in for a takedown and ate a counter knee to the chin that knocked him out clean.
Hooker’s striking seems to be consistently improving and he hasn’t even left his hometown. The Auckland native was very humble in his interview, giving all credit to his coaches. He also called for flyweight teammate Kai Kara-France (currently in Rizin) to be signed by the UFC, which received a pop from the crowd.
