No. 4 lightweight Edson Barboza (19-6, 11 KOs, 1 SUB) meets the surging Dan Hooker (17-7, 9 KOs, 7 SUBs) at UFC on FOX 31 on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The card airs live on FOX starting 8pm EST.
After getting smothered by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee in back-to-back fights, Edson Barboza has to be ecstatic about his matchup with Dan Hooker this Saturday. That’s because Hooker isn’t an elite wrestler, giving the Brazilian an awesome opportunity to showcase one of the electrifying striking arsenals on the roster.
While Hooker doesn’t have the hype or the highlight reel of the opponent, the 28-year old comes into the bout performing at career-best levels. Once just written off as entertaining midcard fodder, The Hangman has reeled off four straight wins and could vault into the top 7 with a win over a well-regarded fighter whose shared the cage with Nurmagomedov, Lee, Tony Ferguson, Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone.
Clearly, this is a huge step up for Hooker - but not an insurmountable obstacle. In fact, the UFC odds at BookMaker.eu have opened with Hooker as the favorite going into the matchup. Let’s take a deeper look into the fight and see where the best opportunities are. Remember, live UFC betting is also available to hedge your bets if needed.
UFC on FOX 31 Betting at BookMaker.eu
Edson Barboza +101
Dan Hooker -130
Significant Striking Stats
Landed per minute: Barboza 3.64 / Hooker 4.02
Accuracy: Barboza 41% / Hooker 43%
Absorbed per minute: Barboza 4 / Hooker 4.38
Defense: Barboza 60% / Hooker 56%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Barboza 0.49 / Hooker 0.54
Takedown accuracy: Barboza 50% / Hooker 42%
Takedown defense: Barboza 80% / Hooker 76%
Submission average: Barboza 0.07 / Hooker 0.54
Bet this UFC fight at BookMaker.eu
A combination of factors have attributed to Hooker’s recent success. At 28, he’s fully grown into his 6’0” frame, giving him natural power to go with his excellent athleticism. At the same time, Hooker’s offensive arsenal has expanded, showing new wrinkles while leveling up. Against Jim Miller, Hooker showed off an impressive pressure fighting style to put away the veteran, and just one fight later he put away the durable Gilbert Burns in less than three minutes.
But is that enough to get by the guy many consider to be the most explosive striker at 155 pounds? Barboza isn’t just a finisher, he’s a destroyer who can turn out the lights with all eight points. His perfectly timed knee on Beneil Dariush was a knockout of the year contender, and the spinning wheel kick that stiffened Terry Etim on impact will live on forever in UFC intro reels. Let’s not forget that Barboza’s leg kicks can shred thigh and calf muscles on impact.
The question for Barboza is how he’ll deal with Hooker’s pressure. The book is out on how to beat the Brazilian - either take him down or make him fight inside of a broom closet. Hooker doesn’t have the skills to go down the first route, but he’s built for the second.
UFC Odds Pick: Barboza to win at +101
It’s fair to question how much Barboza’s last two losses took out of him - he got ground into fine powder on back-to-back scraps. But Hooker’s ceiling isn’t anywhere near the level of those two, and he’s outgunned here in a striking matchup. Barboza will force him to stand and do some damage going backwards, leading to a win - we love the fact that he’s an underdog
UFC Odds Pick: Fight doesn’t go to decision
Though most of Barboza’s recent wins have come by way of decision, Hooker’s aggressiveness sets up the perfect opportunity for a knockout win. On the flip side, Hooker has won 16 of 17 by way of stoppage. There’s a much greater chance this ends early than going to the scorecards.
UFC on FOX 31 Odds at BookMaker.eu
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! Real-time spreads, totals, props and money line are all available so start betting with BookMaker today. UFC on FOX 31 takes place on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The card airs live on FOX starting 8pm EST.
