185-pound king Dricus Du Plessis makes his maiden defense at UFC 305. He meets a dangerous challenger in Israel Adesanya. The rivalry between Du Plessis and Adesanya is the biggest point of sale. However, fan-favorite lightweight Dan Hooker also makes a return on the card. Subsequently, he could not be any less amped up about it!
There is no higher level of curiosity heading into UFC 305 than former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. He is shouldering the chance of proving his still ‘that guy.’ While ‘Hangman’ does not fight for a similar legacy, he fights for similar notions. His key matchup vs. Mateusz Gamrot is a chance to shed off the probable rust. However, Dan Hooker is nothing if not ready.
Get the beers ready, get them cold, get them warm. Get them, get them ready. I’m here to kick someone’s arse and drink beers…
Dan ‘The Hangman’ Hooker for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show (@SubmissionRadio) for SBNation Network
Gamrot supposedly remains the stepchild of neglect in the 155-pound picture. On paper, he has won seven of his past eight bouts. He boasts wins over Rafael dos Anjos, Rafael Fiziev, Jalin Turner, and Arman Tsarukyan.
Yet he is working down the lane on a lower-ranking Hooker. An ill-timed loss to Beneil Dariush in the pandemic-stricken 2022 did not help either. Team City Kickboxing NZ’s Hooker, though, is 2-0 since he returned to the lightweight division in November 2022.
😂🍺Dan Hooker urges fans to get beers ready for him after his fight against Mateusz Gamrot at #UFC305:
“Get the beers ready, get them cold, get them warm. Get them, get them ready. I’m here to kick someone’s arse and drink beers”
🎥@SubmissionRadio 🔹 pic.twitter.com/o7j9PluPgx
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 14, 2024
While the nature of Gamrot’s wins is holding him back, Dan Hooker can steadily up the ranking if he wins this fight. After his UFC 290 win, the fighter had to let his unfused bone surgery heal up. He is now ready to bounce back and even aimed for an International Fight Week return. With all systems firing, there is no fritz holding him back. Alongside, he is happy to return with CKB mate Izzy as well.
Israel Adesanya carried injuries for six years, says Dan Hooker
‘The Last Stylebender’ has not fought in almost a year. Israel Adesanya fell to 1-2 in his past three fights but still has the opportunity to join Randy Couture to have three separate title reigns in a single weight class. He’s coming off a loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and faces quite the absurd imposition in an equally awkward Dricus Du Plessis. Awkward fighting style or not, Dan Hooker feels his friend is ready.
Dan Hooker gives positive health update on Israel Adesanya (Source: Instagram/UFC.go.com)The switch-stance New Zealand striker was recently conversing with Denis Shkuratov of Submission Radio. Weeks ago, he warned the 185-pound titleholder of Izzy’s power. Now, he says Du Plessis is in for a rude awakening, given how Izzy has always managed to bounce back even from injuries over the years.
I’ve seen him just full hobbling. And then just like, that’s when I get nervous for big fights. Because he’s carrying terrible injuries into these fights…So, to see him back at 100 percent and to feel him in the gym and know how scary he is, yeah, Dricus is in for a rude awakening.
Dan Hooker further said for the ‘Submission Radio’ Show (@SubmissionRadio)
👀🤯Dan Hooker claims Israel Adesanya hasn’t fought injury-free since his fight against Brad Tavares in 2018:
“He will fight absolutely anyone but ya it’s been a really long time. When he smoked Brunson he was on one leg like his knee was absolutely fried.
When he’s beaten… pic.twitter.com/L0iAMMEKQw
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 14, 2024
Adesanya, 35, went 0-3 since defeating Brad Tavares back in the summer of 2018, along with substantial injuries to reel back. He suffered losses to Jan Blachowicz (UFC 259), Alex Pereira (UFC 281), and Sean Strickland (UFC 293).
His title loss last September was especially harrowing, making him opt for a self-imposed sabbatical till 2027. Now that he takes on Dricus Du Plessis atop the UFC 305 pay-per-view (PPV) event this weekend, Hooker trusts him to be champion again. As such, only time will tell if this comes true.
