Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker Prediction: Can Hooker Pull Off the Upset at UFC 290?
At UFC 290 this Saturday, Jalin Turner takes on Dan Hooker. Can Dan Hooker pull off the upset? Ben Rajavuori breaks down this UFC 290 bout.
Ben Rajavuori - July 7, 2023, 5:20 PM EDT
7 minJalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker Prediction: Can Hooker Pull Off the Upset at UFC 290?
The lightweight division is set to see a huge bout this Saturday as Jalin Turner squares off against Dan Hooker. With both fighters known for their striking, fans can expect a thrilling clash between these lengthy specialists. As the No. 11 and No. 12 ranked fighters in the division, Turner and Hooker have a lot to prove, with the winner entering the top 10 and getting one fight closer to a title opportunity. There's a common theme with large favorites on the main card, as Jalin Turner is a -280 favorite to beat Hooker at UFC 290.
Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker UFC 290 Start Time and Where to Watch
Date: Saturday, July 8, 2023
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: PPV
Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker Prediction
Jalin Turner enters the Octagon with a record of 13-6, boasting an impressive nine knockouts and four submissions. Notably, Turner has a perfect finish rate in his wins, demonstrating his ability to deliver fight-ending blows. However, it's worth mentioning that half of Turner's losses have come by way of knockout. While he suffered a recent defeat against Mateusz Gamrot, ending his five-fight winning streak, Turner remains the favorite heading into this bout against Dan Hooker.
Dan Hooker, on the other hand, holds a 22-12 record with 11 wins by knockout and 7 wins by submission. With nearly a decade of experience in the UFC, Hooker has faced some of the division's toughest competitors while consistently holding his spot in the rankings. Although he has experienced a rough patch in his last six fights, it's important to note that all four losses during this period were against top-caliber opponents such as Arnold Allen, Islam Makhachev, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier. You would be hard-pressed to find many other fighters without a belt currently with a tougher resume than that.
Hooker's fighting style is characterized by his ability to engage in wars and exchange heavy strikes. While his chin may have suffered in recent years, Hooker remains a force in the division. His long-range striking, accompanied by a potent jab and excellent footwork, allows him to keep opponents at bay and avoid counters. Hooker's arsenal includes devastating kicks to the body and legs and knees up the middle, particularly effective against wrestlers attempting takedowns.
Jalin Turner utilizes his remarkable height and reach advantage to his advantage. While Hooker is long with a 75-inch reach, Turner still has an advantage here with a 77-inch reach. A technically sound kickboxer, Turner has shown his ability to hurt opponents when given the opportunity. In his previous bout against Mateusz Gamrot, Turner displayed his skill in creating space and landing powerful strikes. In the end, wrestling won the fight for Gamrot, and Hooker may want to take some notes on that heading into this fight.
As the fight unfolds, it will likely become a battle of range on the feet, with some takedown attempts from Hooker. Regarding statistical output, Turner has the edge with an average of over five and a half significant strikes landed per minute compared to Hooker's just over four and a half. However, I expect this fight to be a more calculated and technical affair, with both fighters demonstrating a moderate output of significant strikes.
I expect this fight to be very close, unlike the odds suggest. At +230, Hooker is given a 30% chance to win this fight, and I see it a bit closer. While Turner may have the higher finishing upside, Hooker will take a more measured approach to this fight. I expect Hooker to look for takedowns and utilize a similar game plan as Gamrot. If Hooker can get his hooks in and get Turner to the ground, he can grind out control time and make it ugly. I have Hooker to upset in this one based on the number. There are many hefty favorites on the UFC 290 card, meaning we are bound to see upsets, and I could see this being one.
Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker Pick
Pick: Dan Hooker ML +230 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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