New Zealand’s Dan Hooker may not have got the top-15 opponent he has been calling for, but he is sure to be happy with a quick turnaround and a spot on one of the biggest UFC cards of the year.
Fresh of his third straight victory since moving to lightweight, it has been announced that Hooker will fight Brazilian grappler Gilbert Burns at UFC 226 in Las Vegas on July 8 (AEST) during international fight week. The fight was first announced by stuff.co.nz. The stacked fight card will be headlined by a genuine superfight with UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic defending his title against light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.
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Hooker (16-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is unbeaten in the UFC since making the move up to lightweight, delivering two highlight reel knee KO victories over veterans Ross Pearson and Jim Miller and a slick submission victory over Marc Diakiese.
Hooker’s opponent Gilbert Burns, (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is a three-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion with eight career victories by submission. Despite his obvious strength on the ground, Burns is coming of two KO victories inside the octagon over Dan Moret and Hason Saggo.
UFC 226 will also feature UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway defending his title against undefeated challenger Brian Ortega. Also as a part of international fight week, Hooker’s City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya will fight Brad Tavares in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter finale.
Horn vs Crawford & Whittaker vs Romero II Pay-Per-Views to go head-to-head on June 10
