Dan Hooker is a Paddy Pimblett fan.

UFC 282 tomorrow night plays host to Pimblett’s biggest fight yet. Liverpool’s lightweight veteran Jared Gordon will be featured in the comain event. A win will further propel the rising superstar’s popularity and extend his current winning streak to six overall and four within the octagon.

Outside the official UFC lightweight top 15 at present, Pimblett could be poised to get a crack at a ranked name after a potential Gordon win. Pimblett is positioned No. 11 right now, Hooker could be an option, but “The Hangman” has no interest in derailing “The Baddy’s” hype train.

“I think he’s a great guy,” Hooker told The Mac Life. “I like his persona, I like everything. He’s very aggressive and puts on a great fight, but let’s be real, he’s being taken care of. He’s not getting tough matchups just yet.

” I wouldn’t fight him. I like him. He is not my enemy and I won’t fight him. It’s not my intention to blow the bubble. It’s not a good move [to fight me].. My heart is full of conviction that I can do what I please with this kid .”

Hooker, 32, returned to the lightweight division for his last fight at UFC 281 early last month and got back in the win column after tough losses to Arnold Allen at featherweight and now-current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Defeating Claudio Puelles via second-round TKO with a body kick, Hooker reminded everyone he’s far from done and sees no reason for the UFC to send Pimblett his direction just yet.

“He’s on a good trajectory, leave him alone,” Hooker said. “Give him the fights that you’re gonna give him, [I’m] not the fight. The kid is my favorite. Let’s leave him.

“I’m aware he has talked trash about me before and I can only… It’s not easy to get riled up

While Hooker has plenty of praise for Pimblett’s next test in Gordon, he’s seen his fair share of big moments whether as a fan of the sport or a fighter. The co-main event spot is new for Pimblett in his UFC run but also for Gordon despite having called the promotion home since June 2017.

When it comes down it pressure could just be the most important factor in the matchup. Hooker believes so.

” Hooker stated that he thinks Gordon is a great fighter. I feel that Gordon has had a lot good wins and he is a very skilled fighter. I just feel in terms of like the moment and being able to handle the energy and the pressure of packed arena, co-main event, pay-per-view … I feel like to leave it, Paddy’s just great at handling that energy.

“I feel like skill for skill, Gordon beats him in the gym nine times out of 10, but under those lights, pay-per-view, sold out, the people chanting, I feel like Paddy just handles that energy and can direct it at his opponent a lot better. So, I think Paddy wins.”

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TOP STORIES

Reality. Jared Gordon – Some UFC fighters never went to jail. But trash talking would make them “really hurt” or “maybe even killed ‘

Analysis. Paths to Victory: Can Jan Blachowicz reclaim the light heavyweight title vs. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282?

Future. Cris Cyborg intends to negotiate with Scott Coker after boxing match but says she’s still ‘Team Bellator’

Celebration. 2022 World MMA Awards Results

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VIDEO STEW

Between the Links.

UFC 282 Pre-fight presser highlights.

UFC 282 Pre-fight presser faceoffs.

282 Embedded 4.

Pimblett vs. Gordon promo.

Pimblett hype video.

Top finishes from UFC 282 fighters.

Top T-Mobile Arena moments.

Bellator 289 fighter finishes.

Bellator’s biggest grudge match?

Fancy Pimblett vs. Gordon breakdown.

Technique – DJ and CCC

Georgia united.

Chimaev is the next camp.

Wonderboy breaks down his Holland win.

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LISTEN UP

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what’s next for Paddy Pimblett with a UFC 282 win.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Let us see.

Make if make sense.

Good news.

Get well soon!

Almost time.

Power Punch League.

Recovery.

There we have it.

Soon.

Squad.

Red corner.

Schedule.

Welp.

CKB boys.

People are crazy.

Travel time.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grant Neal (7-1) vs. Karl Albrektsson (13-4); Bellator 290, Feb. 4

Nasrat Haqparast (14-5) vs. Jamie Mullarkey (15-5); UFC 284, Feb. 11

Farid Basharat (9-0) vs. Da’Mon Blackshear (12-4-1); UFC 285, March 4

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Hooker vs. Pimblett actually wouldn’t be a terrible next step if Pimblett beats Gordon. It would not be the most appropriate or best step, but it wouldn’t make me hate it.

Happy Friday, gang. Enjoy your weekends. Thank you for reading.

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EXIT POLL

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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/9/23500656/morning-report-dan-hooker-likes-great-guy-paddy-pimblett-doesnt-want-to-fight-him?rand=96749