UFC Austin got a huge boost last night. Dana White took to social media and first announced that the Austin card would be headlined by Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan. However, White wasn’t finished with his announcement. He also announced that “The Hangman” Dan Hooker (23-12) would be taking on “King” Bobby Green (31-14-1) in a five-round co-main event.
This was a fight that both men wanted and it’s a fight that they’re getting at UFC Austin. Earlier this month, Green was in a huge spot headlining an APEX card against Grant Dawson who had never lost inside the octagon. It was a really tough spot for him and he was a very sizable underdog.
However, nobody told Bobby Green that. He ended up landing a straight left that floored Dawson and he followed up with big shots to finish the fight. It was a massive statement and it was his second straight finish. At UFC 291 in July, Green choked out Tony Ferguson.
UFC Austin
Like Bobby Green, Dan Hooker will be making the walk at UFC Austin riding a two-fight winning streak. The last time we saw him was back in July when he took on the tough Jalin Turner. In a wild fight that is one of the best you’ll see this year, Hooker was able to win a close split decision.
Prior to the split decision win over Turner, Hooker got a TKO win over Claudio Puelles. In 2020, Hooker looked like he was on his way to a title shot. He was facing Dustin Poirier in a title eliminator and through two rounds, he looked like a UFC title shot was his. However, he lost the remaining three rounds to lose a decision. Starting with that fight, Hooker went just 1-4 in a five-fight stretch.
That said, he’s looked sensational in his last couple of fights and he appears to have returned to form. This is a big fight on a big card for him. Both men will look to enter 2024 ready to challenge the top ten having won three straight. This one should be an absolute banger.