Dan Hooker
Age: 28
Nationality: New Zealander
MMA Record: 15-7
UFC Record: 5-3
Notable Wins: Ross Pearson, Marc Diakese, Hatsu Hioki
Notable Losses: Yair Rodriguez, Jason Knight, Maximo Blanco
Last Fight: Submission win over Marc Diakese
Fighter Profile: One of the more exciting fighters in the lighter-weight divisions, Hooker has really looked improved since making the move to 155lbs. After killing himself to make 145lbs, Hooker looks much healthier and dominant at lightweight. He’s won two-straight fights by finish with a submission win over Marc Diakese and a knockout win over Ross Pearson landing him this big fight against the veteran Miller. Hooker is a true finisher as he’s won 14 of his 15 career victories by stoppage, and generally he’s been very durable as most of his losses have come by decision. He’s a guy who takes too much damage in his fights at times, but he seems to have learned from his past mistakes and is looking to make a run for the top-15. Hooker is 28 and in his prime, and a win over Miller — particularly if it’s a finish — would put him on the map.
Jim Miller
Age: 34
Nationality: American
MMA Record: 28-11, 1 NC
UFC Record: 17-10, 1 NC
Notable Wins: Yancy Medeiros, Joe Lauzon, Thiago Alves
Notable Losses: Dustin Poirier, Anthony Pettis, Michael Chiesa
Last Fight: Decision loss to Francisco Trinaldo
Fighter Profile: Miller has long been a top contender in the lightweight division but has really fallen off in recent years. Despite a quality 2016 where he went 3-1 with three-straight wins to tend the year, Miller once again went on another losing streak as he’s currently lost three-straight fights to top contenders in the lightweight division. That’s been the problem with Miller his whole career — he’s beaten the guys he’s supposed to beat, but can’t win the big one. He has a solid overall game with effective wrestling and submissions, but his striking has never really stood out and it’s hurt him when he’s fought better strikers. He’s durable and you have to give him credit for hanging around the UFC for so many years, but at some point he will not be able to keep taking the damage he does, and he may be closing in on that point of his career.
Fight Breakdown: I really feel like Miler is on the downside of his career and I’m perplexed by the matchmaking in this fight. Hooker has been on a roll since moving up to lightweight while Miller has really struggled as of late with three-straight decision losses. Hooker has shown tremndous finishing ability both on the feet and on the ground, and while Miller’s chin has generally held up, he’s taken quite a bit of damage in his recent fights. I think Hooker’s just going to be too much for Miller in this fight. I see him overwhelming him on the feet, and I think there’s a good chance Hooker gets the stoppage as he possesses legitimate knockout power and never wins fights by decision. Though I could see Miller being durable enough to survive, I think Hooker is goingto finish this fight for the biggest win of his career to date.
Prediction: Dan Hooker via TKO
