UFC 243 open workouts: Dan Hooker says 'expect a fast start' from him vs. Al Iaquinta
MELBOURNE, Australia – Dan Hooker is hoping UFC 243 results in another quick finish.
Hooker (18-8 MMA, 8-4 UFC) takes on Al Iaquinta (14-5-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 243, which takes place Saturday (Sunday locally) at Marvel Stadium. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
At Thursday’s open workout session ahead of the event, Hooker, whose last three wins have all come by the way of first round stoppage, said he plans on coming out strong, right out of the gate.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Hooker said. “I’m coming off a first-round knockout – that’s three of my last four that have been first-round knockouts – so expect a fast start on Saturday night.”
He will join his City Kickboxing teammates Brad Riddell and interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, the night’s headliner at UFC 243, and is expecting to have the support of both the New Zealand and Australian fans.
“Yeah, there’s a few of us coming out,” Hooker said. “Plenty of Kiwis here to support, plenty of Australian fans getting behind me. It’s all pretty Anzac when we get up there and we fight guys internationally, so I’m looking forward to the support.”
The projected record-breaking crowd could be nerve-racking, but not for Hooker, who will cherish the opportunity of competing in front of that many people.
“It’s going to pretty crazy, man,” Hooker said. “I’m fighting in front of that many people, biggest show, this is my 13th UFC fight, so I’m looking forward to it man.”
“Biggest crowd I’ve ever fought in front of, biggest crowd in UFC history, is something to get excited about.”