Dan Hooker is a glorified journeyman.

[rakeleaves]

Being an exciting fighter doesn't mean you're particularly good. I've never seen a large portion of fans get so excited about a guy with such a thin resume. The guy is literally 20-10 right now. His best wins are over washed up gatekeepers like Jim Miller and Ross Pearson or literal bums like James Vick. The guy barely squeaks by Felder and now suddenly he's a 'clear favourite' over a legit high-level veteran like Michael Chandler?

Some of you see a fighter with a funny accent drop a few soundbites and suddenly the are a contender.

Dan had nothing for Chandler and it showed. There are levels to this.

Or maybe it was because he TKOed Top5-7 Al Iquinta and brought Dustin fuckin Poirier into a 5 round war with Hooker almost finishing DP. Just maybe...

 

[fortheo]

In my head I've always had him ranked around tenth. I thought he'd keep improving, but he seemed to have peaked. Still a solid fighter in the LW division, but I don't see him ever competing for the belt. He still has time to surprise me, though.

 

[Jose Beehive]

Yes he absolutely would I don’t see anyone he couldn’t compete with lol look what happened to #6 LW “in the world” Chandler did the same to Benson lol Bellator just has tougher fighters truth hurts man

Well I disagree... And you're putting words in my mouth and arguing your forced agenda terribly. Who said "in the world" ? You not me buddy.

You seem to think me suggesting Hooker should maybe go to Bellator is a diss to Bellator.

I actually want Bellator to rival UFC on all accounts, and bringing over seemingly jaded dudes like Hooker might help the cause

 

[The Chosen]

he has a win over gilbert burns(whose admitedly better at welterwieght) and arguably beat Felder . He 's simply too tough for his own good and fights with reckless abandon but hes got skills . He also looked scared tonight and couldnt pull the trigger it was strange

He wasn’t scared he was exactly trying to fix the criticism you laid on him, he was trying to be patient and pick Chandler apart instead of brawling him, I guarantee it.

 

[daniel san]

He has improved more than I ever thought that he could improve, but I think it's clear that he'll never be a top contender, he simply doesn't have the skills or fight IQ to face and beat top competition consistently. Fast forward a couple of years and all the damage he has accumulated will result in him being a living punching bag getting knocked out left and right like James Vick.

 

[TITS]

In my head I've always had him ranked around tenth. I thought he'd keep improving, but he seemed to have peaked. Still a solid fighter in the LW division, but I don't see him ever competing for the belt. He still has time to surprise me, though.

He could still end up putting a beating on someone like Dariush or Ferriera or Kevin Lee, but those guys are probably all considered bums too by the OP.

 

[Stagliano]

Lol so what does that make Poirier who almost got TKOd by him

Poirier got KO'd by journeyman Michael Jonhson and struggled against unmotivated ring rust Conor.

Dustin is not a world better so, no matters.

 

[YungSithLxrd]

Being an exciting fighter doesn't mean you're particularly good. I've never seen a large portion of fans get so excited about a guy with such a thin resume. The guy is literally 20-10 right now. His best wins are over washed up gatekeepers like Jim Miller and Ross Pearson or literal bums like James Vick. The guy barely squeaks by Felder and now suddenly he's a 'clear favourite' over a legit high-level veteran like Michael Chandler?

Some of you see a fighter with a funny accent drop a few soundbites and suddenly the are a contender.

Dan had nothing for Chandler and it showed. There are levels to this.

He almost finished Dustin twice their fight, he may not be champ material but hes not a bum

 

[Carrotman23]

He wasn’t scared he was exactly trying to fix the criticism you laid on him, he was trying to be patient and pick Chandler apart instead of brawling him, I guarantee it.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Idk after what Chandler did to him I’d stay away from Bellator tbh. Looks like they’ve got killers over there.

Assuming Patricio decides to stay at FW, I don't see anyone in the Bellator LW division who poses much of a threat to Hooker tbh. It's probably their worst division.

 

[PicoPulse]

Paul Felder is a bum. Al is a Journeyman. I know you Qanon trumptards don't like facts but there's the cold soup.

Stop drinking and beating your ugly girlfriend, it won't make her look any better.

Lmfao why am I a Trumpie? You sound like you dont wear a mask Karen

 

[The_Renaissance]

He's definitely over-rated by some fans and in his own head, he's not a very likeable guy to be honest. Has a very aloof vibe about him.

 

[GueseGuy]

Assuming Patricio decides to stay at FW, I don't see anyone in the Bellator LW division who poses much of a threat to Hooker tbh. It's probably their worst division.

I agree it’s probably their worst division but let’s not fall for the UFC marketing machine here. Brent Primus and Sidney Outlaw can definitely beat Dan Hooker. I’m not saying they will or it’s a guarantee but those dudes are 100% legit as well. Chandler went to war with Primus and Outlaw had the same fate as Hooker. I just don’t think Hooker fares well in Bellator tbh. He is a decent fighter but he’s not great. Ppl are just caught up in UFC rankings and marketing.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

I agree it’s probably their worst division but let’s not fall for the UFC marketing machine here. Brent Primus and Sidney Outlaw can definitely beat Dan Hooker. I’m not saying they will or it’s a guarantee but those dudes are 100% legit as well. Chandler went to war with Primus and Outlaw had the same fate as Hooker. I just don’t think Hooker fares well in Bellator tbh. He is a decent fighter but he’s not great. Ppl are just caught up in UFC rankings and marketing.

Sidney Outlaw? Fucking hell dude, he's one of those DWCS duds that you usually rag on. I know you're getting desperate when you use Sidney bloody Outlaw.

 

[GueseGuy]

Sidney Outlaw? Fucking hell dude, he's one of those DWCS duds that you usually rag on. I know you're getting desperate when you use Sidney bloody Outlaw.

Lol I actually like him tbh. He’s still very young and he’s got a good wrestling base. Beating Piccoloti sets him up nicely. I think he’s one to watch to get that strap at 155. I don’t see Pitbull beating him. I just hope Willis can get to 155 cause I’d love to see him get a shot as well.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Lol I actually like him tbh. He’s still very young and he’s got a good wrestling base. Beating Piccoloti sets him up nicely. I think he’s one to watch to get that strap at 155. I don’t see Pitbull beating him. I just hope Willis can get to 155 cause I’d love to see him get a shot as well.

He's okay but him being anywhere near the title is a bit of a statement on the standard of that division. I don't think he'd be top 40 in the UFC, I think random guys like Drakkar Klose and Magomed Mustafaev beat him.

 

[GueseGuy]

He's okay but him being anywhere near the title is a bit of a statement on the standard of that division. I don't think he'd be top 40 in the UFC, I think random guys like Drakkar Klose and Magomed Mustafaev beat him.

Possibly. It’s mma anything can happen when 2 high level guys step in there. It’s very hard to say how things play out. I agree Sidney is very unproven and the fact that he is even close to the top is very sad for LW in Bellator. But hopefully we get some fight announcements soon so these things can start playing out. Even myself at this point is starting to get annoyed with Bellator. And I’m usually the one with the most patience for them in this place lol. Let’s get some announcements going!!

 

[Hellowhosthat]

Possibly. It’s mma anything can happen when 2 high level guys step in there. It’s very hard to say how things play out. I agree Sidney is very unproven and the fact that he is even close to the top is very sad for LW in Bellator. But hopefully we get some fight announcements soon so these things can start playing out. Even myself at this point is starting to get annoyed with Bellator. And I’m usually the one with the most patience for them in this place lol. Let’s get some announcements going!!

I just can't believe how bad they are at getting LW's for whatever reason. Fair enough if you miss out on the likes of Gamrot, Jones and Shabily if they'd rather go to the UFC, but they really shouldn't have missed out on Anthony Pettis, that was a signing they absolutely needed to make for me. Also shouldn't have let PFL have good serviceable LW's like Johnny Case who would have given good depth to the division.

Vartanyan and Raisov both seem to be available at the moment, so lets see if they actually make a solid move on them.

When you're still trying to book Roger Huerta against your relevant fighters in 2021 you've got issues.

 

[diffuzn]

styles make fights, and hooker doesn't do well against anyone who carries power either in kicks or punches, he just wont win technical exchanges as he gets hit alot.

 

[machidafan99]

I like Hooker a lot. He's a cool guy.
They set him up to fail, to be a lunching pad for their new expensive signing who was a bad match-up for him. It slowly dawned on him just before the fight that he was being used.
Really disgusting, IMO.