Dan Hooker thinks a fast turnaround hampered Alexander Volkanovski’s efficiency in opposition to Ilia Topuria.
After 5 title defenses, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) misplaced his featherweight title to Topuria by knockout at UFC 298 in February 2024. “The Nice” made a four-month turnaround after getting knocked out by light-weight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 294.
Hooker pertains to the impacts a fast turnaround can have on a efficiency.
“I really feel like he simply turned too shortly round from the Islam Makhachev battle,” Hooker instructed Sky Sports activities New Zealand. “I don’t assume Ilia Topuria did something that unbelievable. I really feel like he simply fought (too quickly), and I’ve been there. After I fought Paul Felder after which I fought Dustin Poirier type of back-to-back after which rushed into the Michael Chandler battle. It’s not like Michael Chandler did something that was lightening unbelievable. You must study that as a veteran fighter, and there’s just one strategy to study it, and that’s the laborious manner.
“The physique can solely take a lot punishment earlier than it wants time to totally recoup. Particularly in case you’re combating these five-round fights, it’s essential be placing a superb quantity of stretch, and it takes longer to get better from a 5 spherical battle. Particularly what Volkanovski has been going by way of, five-round championship coaching camps, and simply placing them so constantly. He has been one of the crucial constant champions for the UFC. Stepping as much as the plate, combating, leaping in on brief discover. Like, he simply wanted a bit extra time between these fights to let his physique totally get better.”
man and and nonetheless the champ, I can’t wait to be there.”
With Topuria relinquishing his featherweight title, Volkanovski will battle Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for the vacant belt within the UFC 314 most important occasion (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN/Disney+, ESPN+) April 12 from Kaseya Middle in Miami.
Hooker can be there to assist his Metropolis Kickboxing teammate.
“Yeah, I’m going over,” Hooker stated. “I’m fairly positive Israel’s (Adesanya) going over, and we’ll simply head over and clearly assist Alexander Volkanovski. What’s it? 10 consecutive title fights in a row. Robust, younger competitor in opposition to Lopes.
“It’s going to be one heck of a battle, and I can’t wait to be sitting cage slide and simply soaking it up. To get again after these two laborious fights, the hardest time in his profession, and to not solely get by way of that, however to be on the opposite facet of it and to have the ability to increase that title once more and and show that he’s nonetheless the
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