Dan Hooker -150 vs Nasrat Haqparast
Fight is at 155 lbs and is -120 to end inside the distance.
This fight was very close to not happening as both fighters were dealing with visa issues and getting to Las Vegas. As it sits, both fighters are set to arrive Thursday for Friday weigh ins. Nasrat Haqparast is coming off a pair of impressive decision wins, and now gets a massive jump in difficulty of opponent, and the most difficult of his career. Haqparast is a solid striker, has ample power and brings enough volume. He does not look to grapple and is happy to have a standup fight. The issue with Haqparast is that he takes more time than is ideal to process his opponents movement. He can be a slow starter and that will absolutely work against him in this matchup. It should be noted that Haqparast’s previous most difficult opponent was Drew Dober. Dober earned a quick KO and it is highly questionable whether Haqparast is ready to make this jump in competition. In any event, and even if he is competitive, the line is far too short.
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Let me get this straight on Dan Hooker. He lost a very close war with Dustin Poirier and then got rocked by a bomb from Michael Chandler. This warrants just a -150 line against a fighter whose signature win is Marc Diakiese? Nope, no sir, not buying it. Sure he’s been in wars and lost a couple fights against the elites, but let’s pump the brakes on writing him off. He is going to be the longer and busier fighter, and I believe him to have a power edge in this matchup as well. He is also the better grappler, and if we see any grappling in this fight, it will be Hooker initiating and controlling. I suppose I cannot say for certain that Hooker’s chin is not shot, but I am highly skeptical of that and I think he outclasses Haqparast. The only path I see for Hooker not winning this fight, is the chin giving out to a shot that would not normally warrant it.
This fight should play out perfectly for Hooker. He will come out early, be better and busier and control the fight while Haqparast is processing. Hooker is levels above anyone Haqparast has fought, and I believe the processing will come slower than any we have seen from him thus far. I am unsure if Hooker will find a finish or not, but at just -150, there’s no need to churn over that, as long as the win comes.