The location may not be ideal, but a pair of fight announcements will be music to the ears of Aussie and Kiwi fight fans.
It was announced today that Dan Hooker and ‘Jessy Jess’ will be fighting at the upcoming UFC card in Milwaukee on December 16. While many may be disappointed that the duo will not feature a couple of weeks earlier when the UFC returns to Adelaide, no one will be disappointed with the match-ups.
Hooker (17-7 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is set to fight perennial top contender Edson Barboza(19-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) on the card. The news was first reported by the New Zealand Herald.
Hooker has been running through everybody in his way since moving up to the lightweight division last year. The Auckland native has finished his last 4 opponents in impressive fashion and recently knocked out Gilbert Burns in the first round at UFC 226 in Las Vegas.
The Hangman was clearly annoyed after the fight deeming that the contest was to easy and asking for a step up in competition. He has certainly earned his wish with a fight against the number 6 ranked UFC lightweight Barboza. Barboza is well known for his high-level muay thai skills and holds some of the most impressive knockout wins in the UFC as well as finishing numerous fights with leg kicks.
“I chased him because I believe … he’s the toughest fight,” Hooker told the New Zealand Herald.
“I didn’t ask for Edson Barboza because I feel like that’s an easy way to get to the top, I think he’s going to bring a fight. I want a real test … and I feel like Edson Barboza is the man for the job.”
Also on the card in Milwaukee, it was announced today that Australia’s Jessica-Rose Clark (9-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will take on Andrea Lee (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC).
Flyweights head to The Badger State! @MissJessyJess takes on @AndreaKGBLee at #UFCMilwaukee Dec. 15! pic.twitter.com/u1uT51k6yu
— UFC (@ufc) September 4, 2018
Clark stormed into the UFC picking up wins over fellow Aussie Bec Rawlings before defeating Paige Vanzant. She will be looking to rebound from a decision loss to Jessica Eye at UFC Singapore this past June when she takes on Lee.
Lee has won her last five fights in a row and came into the UFC earlier this year as the LFA’s women’s flyweight champion. She defeated Veronica Macedo in her UFC debut where she picked up the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus.
UFC Milwaukee will take place on December 16 (AEST) at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center.
