Dan Hooker had to dig deep to emerge with a split decision victory over Jalin Turner tonight at UFC 290 in a hard-fought battle.
Round One:
Turner pressing forward early and lands a few leg kicks. Hooker lands a blow to the groin and there’s a pause to give Turner time to recover.
Back to it they go. Hooker lands a left and head kick attempt behind it. Now a spinning body kick from Turner. A left hand scores too.
Hooker lands leg kicks. Left hook connects for him and then back to the leg kick. Left hand for Turner. Turner with a flurry then gets caught by a counter from Hooker. Body kick from Hooker.
Round two:
Leg kick for Hooker. Jab for Turner. Inside leg kick from Hooker. Brief exchange inside then Hooker is back to circling on the outside.
Leg kick and a right hand for Turner. Hooker punches and lands a leg kick. Turner with a switch kick. Front kick to the midsection from Turner.
Turner with a straight. Hooker swinging for the fences but misses. Body kick for Turner just grazes the target.
Suddenly a big head kick lands with an audible impact for Turner but somehow Hooker eats it. Turner with follow-up strikes at closer range now and lands elbows.
Hooker survives for now, but is bleeding from a cut to the forehead. Punch for Hooker but eats a hard counter.
Turner lands another head kick and Hooker stays upright. Jab for Turner.
Hooker suddenly pressing forward with a flurry of punches and lands big punches. Turner firing back now. Hooker continues to go on the offensive though. Turner shouts out and then gets blasted again. Turner tries for a big knee but falls to his back. Hooker pouncing on a rear-naked choke and Turner looks ready to give up, only for the round to end and save him.
Round Tree:
Hooker back on the offensive to start the third round and stings Turner, who still looks a bit shaken from the end of the previous round. Turner is trying to return fire though.
Hooker definitely seems to have more in the tank at this stage though and is trying to make the most of it. More punches and Turner manages to land a takedown to help give him some time to clear the cobwebs. However he’s not able to keep the action there and Hooker gets back up.
Hooker on the front foot now and Turner doesn’t look like he’s having fun out there. Hooker lands and Turner buckles to the canvas. Turner seems demoralized, but Hooker is being more patient on the mat now and it’s giving his opponent time to recover.
Turner gradually moving over to the cage and in the late stages of the round finally manages to make it back to his feet and lands a kick to the body. We’re headed to the judges.
Decision:
These two really went to war and Hooker did well to rally late in the fight to emerge with a split decision victory (29-28 x2, 28-29).
