Betting Odds for Makhachev vs Hooker

[DudeBroMMA]

Totally agree with this. They've signed contracts to fight for a certain dollar amount so why get so fussy over the rank of their opponent? Even if the opponent isn't as strong as them, they can improve their own standing by dominating them. MMA fans add to the problem by propagating that it "doesn't mean anything" if you haven't yet beat a top-X ranked opponent...even if those who beat high ranked opponents do so by slim split decisions lol

Islam has never fought a higher ranked opponent despite asking for one so often. Opponents used the "it doesn't make sense" excuse when he wasn't ranked high.

That's why that signature win is so important. If you cant get that high ranked opponent because other fighters are ducking and using the rankings as an excuse, you need to make sure that fans take notice and remember you.

If Islam KO's Hooker I guarantee he gets a title shot. If he wins by decision, he will probably get passed over. That's the name of the game.

 

[Ackmed]

That's why that signature win is so important. If you cant get that high ranked opponent because other fighters are ducking and using the rankings as an excuse, you need to make sure that fans take notice and remember you.

If Islam KO's Hooker I guarantee he gets a title shot. If he wins by decision, he will probably get passed over. That's the name of the game.

His wins over Dober and Moises were signature enough to move himself up the rankings, and yes a similar dominance against Hooker should give him a TS.

Simpletons who don't understand how one can move from #9 to #5 by beating #14, or move from #14 to #5 by beating Dober and Moises back to back, read the above!

 

[Luckyme]

D1 Justin is one of only two men to win a round against khabib. With Conor being the other

Yeah but Khabib still outwrestled him. Eastern wrestling > US folkstyle

 

[fizzlehiss]

His TDD isn’t Jose Aldo level. I still remember how everyone thought a D-1 wrestler like Gaethje was going to be Khabib’s toughest challenge and it turned out to be one of his easier fights. Like Khabib, Islam’s wrestling is miles above Hooker’s and most wrestlers in MMA.

And what makes it harder to prepare against Islam is he doesn’t use the traditional single/double leg TDs like Khabib. The judo throws from the clinch are going to send Dan flying.

I don't care about their credentials. GSP didn't have any credentials and he was a great wrestler. What I am saying it's what they have shown. Justin has shown he got taken downs and was fairly bad situationally. I don't remember Dan looking awful, and Hooker himself has a build that lends strength to grappling exchanges.