Lightweight standout Jalin Turner returned to the Octagon at UFC 290 intent on getting back into the win column after coming up short in his last outing.
Turner saw his five-fight win streak snapped at the hands of Mateusz Gamrot in March. Ready to continue his climb toward the top of the 155-pound division, ‘The Tarantula’ was tasked with taking out Dan Hooker. ‘The Hangman’ has struggled to find the win column as of late, dropping four of his last six, but a win over Claudio Puelles in his last outing could be the start of a shift in momentum for Hooker.
Round 1
Dan Hooker comes out firing a low kick. Turner responds with a combination but is out of range. Hooker begins circling the outside of the Octagon as Turner fires off a couple of solid calf kicks of his own. Hooker attempts to respond, but instead throws a kick directly into Turner’s protective gear bringing a pause to the action. The action resumes with both men keeping their distance and trading leg kicks. Counter right hand from Turner lands. He follows that up with a left-hand high kick combo that glances off Hooker. A spinning heel kick from Turner lands on the body of Hooker. ‘The Hangman’ fires a high kick that is blocked by Turner. Hooker throws a body kick, and Turner counters with a right hand. Hooker goes back up top, but Turner responds with a nasty combo that sends Hooker running for the hills. Hooker lands a nice right hand but eats a straight punch that pops his head back as the round comes to an end.
Round 2
Both men come out continuing right where they left off. Hooker looks to get his hands going after using his feet for the most part in the first. Hooker begins to light up Hooker with his hands before landing a lighting fast switch kick to the leg of Hooker. Turner unloads a nasty high kick that connects with Hooker’s chin. Hooker manages to stay on his feet, but he is clearly compromised. Turner turns up the heat but refuses to unload everything he’s got. Hooker begins bleeding profusely as Turner continues to stalk his prey. Turner slips the offering from Hooker and lands a big right hand. Turner lands another solid straight, but Hooker continues to bring the pressure. Hooker moves in and lands a nice combination that backs up Turner. Hooker, smelling blood in the water, begins to swarm Turner and unleashes a flurry of strikes sending Turner to the canvas. Hooker takes Turner’s back and jumps on a rear-naked choke, but Turner is saved by the bell.
Round 3
Hooker immediately comes out swinging, knowing that Turner is still feeling the effects of the late second-round flurry he endured. Turner looking to get his respect back begins pushing the pace. Hooker moves in with another combination that backs Turner to the fence. Turner is clearly fading and goes for a desperation takedown. Turner gets Hooker to the ground, but Hooker bounces right back. Turner uses everything he’s got to fight back, but he has nothing left in the tank. Hooker unloads once again sending Turner to the canvas. Hooker jumps on him and looks content to hold the position. Turner managed to get back to his feet in the final seconds of the round but was unable to deliver any offense before the final bell sounded.
Official Result: Dan Hooker def. Jalin Turner via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights from Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker at UFC 290 Below:
How the hell did Dan Hooker eat that? https://t.co/76NSpfnPEB
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) July 9, 2023
DAN HOOKER IS BACK. 🤯🇳🇿
"The Hangman" s’impose par décision partagée après 15 minutes de combat intense !! #UFC290
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) July 9, 2023
What a war! Dan Hooker 🇳🇿 def. Jalin Turner 🇺🇸 via split decision after 3 bloody rounds. ( 2x 29-28 For Hooker, 1x 29-28 for Turner )#UFC290 #UFC pic.twitter.com/iZkRKpVtcu
— 𝘽𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙧𝙖 🌺 (@TheBlessedEra_) July 9, 2023
“Just a scratch”
Dan Hooker is a savage pic.twitter.com/1Rj0Gvt60t
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) July 9, 2023
Volkanovski's reaction to his teammate Dan Hooker's fight 😂 #UFC290 pic.twitter.com/d23aQ6Cl8p
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 9, 2023
