Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Lewis vs. Hunt’

Lightweights

Dan Hooker (13-7) vs. Ross Pearson (19-13)

THE MATCHUP: Though Hooker and Pearson both like to strike, this matchup feels like a tale of two very different fighters. At this stage in his career, over 12 years and 33 fights deep, Pearson is predictable in the way of all great gatekeepers. He is a skilled fencer off the back foot, with a crisp jab and a nasty counter left hook, but his preference for the pocket means he will come forward if his opponent refuses to engage. Though poor advancing footwork leaves the Englishman diminished whenever he goes on the attack, he is still capable of sneaking in powerful counters as his opponent tries to ward him off.

Compare that to Hooker. While three years ago we might have expected the Kiwi kickboxer to march ceaselessly into the clinch, he has shown new wrinkles since his UFC debut, with mixed results. Most recently, Hooker was not an aggressive clinch striker at all. Rather, he forced Jason Knight to chase him around the Octagon, setting a long distance with a southpaw stance and looking to counter with the left hand. This approach might work against Pearson, whose problems with evasive opponents have been noted, but it does not seem to suit Hooker’s temperament. To wit, Knight banged him up pretty badly as he tried on this new hands-down, showboating style. Then again, these changes seemed to come via Hooker’s time with the Elevation Fight Team, which appears to have come to an end.

Neither man is particularly keen to grapple, though in recent fights Pearson has accepted the role of wily veteran, and the keep-them-guessing takedowns that come with it. Hooker will attempt a trip takedown from time to time, as well, but the threat of winding up on his back keeps him from making it a regular tactic. Overall, this one seems likely to be a kickboxing match.

THE ODDS: Hooker (-160), Pearson (+130)

THE PICK: Hooker did not look comfortable or confident in his various attempts to become a more elusive striker. Considering his departure from the Elevation Fight Team, it seems likely that he will go back to his original style of soaking up punches as he marches forward and looks to hammer his opponent with short punches, elbows and clinch knees. If that is the case, then Pearson will get the chance to do what he does best: avoid punishment and control distance. If not, we could be looking at a very different kind of fight, quite possibly one that still favors the tried-and-true skills of the Englishman. The pick is Pearson by unanimous decision.

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