UFC Milwaukee: Edson Barboza Picks Apart a Very Game Dan Hooker

Dan Hooker showed a ton of heart tonight in his co-main event with Edson Barboza at UFC Milwaukee, likely too much heart for his own good.

Both lightweights came out with a steady stream of kicks, but Barboza appeared to land more often with the technique, particularly to Hooker’s legs. The latter, however, continued to press forward, but later in the opening round he was stunned by a counter right from Barboza.

Barboza blasted Hooker’s lead leg with a couple more kicks shortly into round two, which clearly hurt the rising lightweight. Hooker stepped up his attacks, however, and the action ended up spilling to the mat. Hooker controlled the top position for several moments, but Barboza got back to his feet and the lightweights proceeded to slug it out. With both men fading, Barboza punished Hooker with numerous punches and kicks, and the latter was clearly hurting badly as the round ended.

Hooker came out looking for a takedown in round three, but Barboza defended and resumed his attacks. Moments later Barboza cracked Hooker to the body with a vicious kick, but the latter refused to quit. Barboza continued to punish Hooker with punches and kicks, and finally, the New Zealand fighter went down. The fight could have been stopped several moments earlier.

Here are the results so far for UFC Milwaukee.

Edson Barboza def. Dan Hooker via KO (strikes) R3, 2:19
Rob Font def. Sergio Pettis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Charles Oliveira def. Jim Miller via submission (rear-naked-choke) R1, 1:15
Zak Ottow def. Dwight Grant via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Bobby Green def. Drakkar Klose via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Joaquim Silva def. Jared Gordon via KO (punches) R3, 2:39
Jack Hermansson def. Gerald Meerschaert via submission (guillotine choke) R1, 4:25
Zak Cummings def. Trevor Smith via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Dan Ige def. Jordan Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Rodriguez def. Adam Milstead via TKO (strikes) R1, 2:59
Juan Adams def. Chris De La Rocha via TKO (strikes) R3, 0:58