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What's the story?
UFC on FOX 31 witnessed a brutal performance by Brazil's own, Edson Barboza, who went on to beat Dan Hooker into a pulp at the co-main event on the main fight card. Barboza dominated all three rounds of the fight by sticking to his strong striking and kicking game, making a comeback seem almost out of bounds for Hooker. After two minutes and nineteen seconds into the third round, a spinning back kick thrown by Barboza, dropped Hooker down to his knees, calling a stoppage for the finish.
In case you didn't know..
Edson Barboza is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and a former Muay Thai practitioner, who currently competes in the UFC's lightweight category. At the moment, he is ranked number five in the lightweight division roster rankings with famous victories over Anthony Pettis, Danny Castillo, and Gilbert Melendez. His last contest within the cage came against Kevin Lee at UFC Fight Night 128, a fight that he lost as a result of a doctor stoppage in round number five.
Dan Hooker is a mixed martial arts fighter by way of New Zealand, who currently fights in the lightweight division of the UFC. He made his MMA debut in the year 2009 and has experience with fighting promotions such as Shuriken MMA and Legend FC. Leading up to his fight against Barboza, Hooker successfully managed a four-fight win streak against Ross Pearson, Marc Diakiese, Jim Miller, and Gilbert Burns.
The heart of the matter
The contest between the pair began with Dan Hooker opening up with body and leg kicks from the get-go. A minute and a half into the first round, Edson Barboza stuck to his strengths and targeted the inside of Dan Hooker's lead leg. An overhand right followed by an array of leg kicks forced Hooker to try and engage in the clinch, very early on into the fight. Going into the second round, Hooker seemed to have trouble to put excessive weight on his lead leg with the punishment taken during the first round of the fight.
Hooker desperately tried to close the distance in order to avoid the inside leg kicks, only to have Barboza target his body and head next. In round number three, Barboza continued his onslaught on the inside of Hooker's lead leg, making life difficult for the New Zealander to cope with the barrage. A series of back to back body shots, followed by a vicious spinning back kick, left Hooker with no answer in return. Hooker then dropped to the floor, unable to take any more punishment, and that is all she wrote for this co-main contest.
What's next?
Edson Barboza's efficiency with kicks has been the difference maker in the majority of his fights with the UFC, thus far. A Muay Thai background in the sport of mixed martial arts has once again proved to be the defining factor between the two fighters.
Who would you like to see Edson Barboza face in the Octagon next? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!
