MMA Preview – Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker at UFC 290
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
JALIN TURNER VS DAN HOOKER FACTS
When is UFC 290? Sunday 9th July, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 290? T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 290? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 290
What channel is UFC 290 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 290? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JALIN TURNER VS DAN HOOKER LOWDOWN
Jalin Turner (13-6) was fighting his way into title contention after compiling a five-fight streak. He was looking better with each fight knocking out Joshua Culibao (2020) submitting Brok Weaver (2020) and Uros Medic (2021), knocking out Jamie Mullarkey and submitting Brad Riddell (2022). However, he then ran into Mateusz Gamrot back in March and just fell on the wrong side of a split decision.
Dan Hooker (22-12) is back and remains at 155 lbs thankfully. He shredded back down to featherweight last year after losing three in four. They were to three of the best in the division – Dustin Poirier (2020), Michael Chandler (2021) and Islam Makhachev (2021), but decided to dip his toe back down at 145 lb only to get knocked out by Arnold Allen. However, he is already back in the win column piercing Claudio Puelles (2022) with a laser body kick.
JALIN TURNER VS DAN HOOKER PREDICTION
Hooker has only lost to the best, but all those wars have caused a lot of damage and the weight cuts have taken their toll. As for Turner, although he is coming off a loss, a split decision to Gamrot is not the worst look.
Turner has an exceptional skill set and still has room improvement. He will also boast a height and reach advantage which Hooker is not used to. This is a very tough fight for Hooker which seems to be the case in all of his pairings.
They are both durable and devastating strikers who carry a knockout threat in all eight-limbs. This could set up a striking spectacle however, based on their most recent fights, we can see Hooker calling upon his grappling.
He did an exceptional job fending off the advances of the jiu-jitsu wizard Puelles and Gamrot was able to nullify Turner against the cage.
Hooker has nowhere near the grappling skills of Gamrot, but he is good enough to take Turner down. We can see him finding success, but we feel Turner has a different gear and has the ability to catch the Kiwi.
Expect a very competitive fight, but Turner only needs one opening to set up a finish and with the miles on Hooker’s clock, we can see a knockout.
Prediction: Turner via KO/TKO
Value bet: Hooker to win
