Struggling lightweight star Dan Hooker returned to the Octagon at UFC 281 on Saturday night, desperately looking to get back into the win column.
‘The Hangman’ has dropped four of his last five bouts since 2020, though those losses came against some of the best fighters in the division including Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and the reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. After a one-fight stint at featherweight that saw him finished by Arnold Allen, Hooker returned to 155-pounds for a showdown with Claudio Puelles.
Round 1
Dan Hooker came out gauging the range between himself and Puelles. Puelles threw a head kick and ate a calf kick in return. Both fighters remained patient, trading long-range attacks in the first two minutes. Puelles Imanari rolled into Hooker, grabbing his leg. Hooker defended the heel hook attempt and was able to work his way on top before getting back to his feet. Puelles goes for the leg once again but missed the mark. Hooker landed a solid right hand. With 10-seconds left in the round, Hooker pursued, but Puelles dropped to the canvas looking for another leg lock as the clock expired.
Round 2
Coming out for round two, Puelles goes for another takedown that is immediately defended by Hooker. ‘The Hangman’ started to put on pressure as Puelles continued to desperately shoot for a takedown, failing each time. Hooker lands a left hook, but Puelles used it to attempt another takedown that is once again defended by Hooker. Puelles shoots again and gets in deep on a single leg, but Hooker sprawled and was able to pull away. Hooker delivered a kick to the body that appeared to hurt Puelles. Back on his feet, Hooker avoids a few more desperate attempts at a takedown from Puelles before delivering another kick to the body that drops Puelles. At that point, the referee had seen enough and called for the stoppage in round two.
Official Result: Dan Hooker defeats Claudio Puelles via TKO (body kick) at 4:06 of Round 2
Check Out Highlights From Dan Hooker vs. Claudio Puelles at UFC 281 Below:
THE HANGMAN IS BACK!!!
[ @DanTheHangman | #UFC281 ] pic.twitter.com/rRl9Oer1qu
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
🇳🇿 Dan Hooker s'impose face à Puelles grâce à un superbe front kick au foie ! Une victoire très importante pour le partenaire d'entraînement d'Adesanya qui restait sur une mauvaise série. #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/ZAkd4RzRuU
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) November 13, 2022
City (Kickboxing) boyz are up 😤
[ @DanTheHangman | #UFC281 ] pic.twitter.com/2s6vZyEQNA
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
Now THAT'S how you take advantage of your mic time 🎤
[ @DanTheHangman | #UFC281 ] pic.twitter.com/4BfTcdeEd0
— UFC (@ufc) November 13, 2022
Great discipline, submission defense from @danthehangman Hooker, and he takes home a big TKO win before calling for a fight in Perth. #UFC281 pic.twitter.com/YU40m8towy
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) November 13, 2022
