Two featherweights fresh off victories will meet at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on Sept. 20, when Maximo Blanco faces Daniel Hooker at UFC Fight Night “Hunt vs. Nelson.”
UFC officials confirmed the bout with Sherdog.com on Tuesday.
UFC Fight Night Japan is anchored by a heavyweight clash featuring Roy Nelson versus Mark Hunt and co-stars Takanori Gomi vs. Myles Jury at 155 pounds. Also, Miesha Tate will lock horns with the undefeated Rin Nakai, and Chris Cariaso will do battle with Kyoji Horiguchi in a bantamweight tilt.
When Blanco is in the cage, crazy things happen. The 30-year-old Venezuelan has made headlines for his antics, being disqualified twice for illegal blows to the head of opponents. But the former Strikeforce fighter has seen a fair amount of success also, winning seven of his 10 fights by way of finish.
Blanco’s last outing at UFC Fight Night “Munoz vs. Mousasi” was a unanimous decision victory over Andy Ogle. The win brought his mark in the UFC to 2-3.
Hooker was successful in his initial Octagon foray. UFC Fight Night “Marquardt vs. Te Huna” saw the Kiwi brutally finish Ian Entwistle via elbows in the opening frame. The 24-year-old has spent most of his career at lightweight, but since dropping to 135 pounds has experienced success.
With 10 of his 11 victories not reaching the judges’ scorecards, “The Hangman” will look to keep the trend — along with his six-fight winning streak — alive at the expense of Blanco.
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