Dan Hooker reflects on his loss to Islam Makhachev and how it has shattered the perception of Makhachev’s invincibility. Hooker believes that other fighters in the lightweight division will now target Makhachev.
|Dan Hooker reflects on his loss to Islam Makhachev and the impact on Makhachev’s invincibility|
|Alexander Volkanovski’s fight against Makhachev shows he is not unbeatable|
|The mental aspect of combat sports and the shift in the lightweight division|
Dan Hooker, currently ranked #11 in the UFC Lightweight division, reflects on his loss to Islam Makhachev and the impact it has had on the perception of Makhachev’s invincibility. Hooker believes that Alexander Volkanovski’s performance against Makhachev has shown that he is not unbeatable, leading other fighters in the division to target him.
The Loss to Makhachev
In October 2021, Hooker faced Makhachev in the Octagon and was quickly submitted via kimura in the first round. This loss was a blow to Hooker’s ranking and aspirations for the title. However, he has since bounced back with a win against Claudio Puelles.
Volkanovski’s Impact
Hooker points to Volkanovski’s fight against Makhachev as a turning point in the perception of Makhachev’s dominance. Volkanovski showed that Makhachev is human and can be hit and taken down. This has given other fighters in the division the confidence to challenge Makhachev.
The Mental Aspect
Hooker emphasizes the importance of the mental aspect in combat sports . He believes that the mystique and aura of invincibility surrounding Makhachev has been shattered, and fighters in the lightweight division will now be more willing to call him out.
Conclusion
The loss to Makhachev and Volkanovski’s performance have had a significant impact on the perception of Makhachev’s invincibility. Hooker believes that the mental barrier has been broken, and other fighters in the division will now see Makhachev as beatable. This marks a shift in the lightweight division, with fighters targeting Makhachev and his title reign.
| Fighters |
|---|
| Dan Hooker |
| Islam Makhachev |
| Alexander Volkanovski |
