Dan Hooker overcame the grappling threats of Mateusz Gamrot to select up a hard-fought win at UFC 305.
The light-weight bout was a part of the UFC 305 predominant card at RAC Area in Perth, Australia, and noticed Hooker (24-12 MMA, 14-8 UFC) and Gamrot (24-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) current one of the best of their video games. After quarter-hour, the judges had been break up, issuing duelling 29-28 scores. Two of the scorecards favored Hooker’s work within the placing division.
The traditional grappler vs. striker matchup performed out precisely as one would assume, as each fighters performed to their strengths. However Gamrot shocked Hooker early with a quick mixture of punches upstairs. A number of moments later, Gamrot introduced the struggle to his world.
Hooker weathered a storm of floor and pound strikes earlier than returning to his ft and cracking Gamrot with punches, bringing the group to life. Hooker hunted for a end, however Gamrot remained poised to see the tip of a really wild opening spherical.
Gamrot didn’t waste time getting the struggle to the bottom in Spherical 2, shortly implementing his smothering floor recreation. Halfway by way of the spherical, although, Hooker returned to his ft and bought again on the hunt with strikes. It didn’t take lengthy for Gamrot to get again in on the hips, however he needed to take care of laborious elbows and guillotine threats as Hooker sprawled.
“I really like this sh*t!” Hooker stated whereas laughing within the nook between rounds.
With 5 minutes to go and the struggle seemingly up for grabs, Hooker denied an early takedown and led the placing battle. Between takedown makes an attempt, Gamrot managed to land just a few strikes, however was largely outstruck within the last exchanges.
