Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler is the co-main event for UFC 257 betting on Saturday, January 23 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
This should be a banger as the No. 6-ranked lightweight Hooker faces off against Chandler, who is making his highly-anticipated UFC debut. UFC odds have Hooker as a slim -138 favorite, while Chandler comes back at +112.
We break down the UFC betting odds for this lightweight battle and give our best picks and predictions for Hooker vs. Chandler at UFC 257.
Hooker vs Chandler Fight Odds
| Method of Victory | Dan Hooker | Michael Chandler |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | -138 | +112 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +320 | +460 |
| Win by Points | +320 | +260 |
| Win by Submission | +1,200 | +1,200 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Hooker vs Chandler Betting Preview
Dan "The Hangman" Hooker comes into this bout coming off a decision loss to Dustin Poirier. While he may have lost that bout, that fight was an absolute war and Hooker showed what he was capable of, landing 155 significant strikes against Poirier.
Hooker is 7-2 in his last nine fights, a span which includes victories against Top-10 ranked lightweights Paul Felder and Al Iaquinta, as well as a stoppage win over current No. 2 welterweight Gilbert Burns.
The New Zealand native has some of the best kickboxing in the division and does a great job of setting up his combinations with calf kicks and feints.
Michael Chandler will make his UFC debut fresh off a first-round TKO win over Benson Henderson at Bellator 243 last August. Chandler was a three-time lightweight champion at Bellator and has gone 9-2 since 2015, with notable victories against Henderson (twice) and Patricky Freire.
Chandler has a background as an All-American wrestler at Missouri and has a terrific ground game, featuring both vicious ground-and-pound and submission skills. However, he's a well-rounded fighter that has shown improved boxing in recent years and combines punching power with a high-pressure style.
Hooker vs Chandler Tale of the Tape
| Dan Hooker | Michael Chandler | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Age | 34 |
| 6-foot | Height | 5-foot-8 |
| 155 lbs | Weight | 155 lbs |
| 75 inches | Reach | 71 inches |
| 20-9-0 (10 KO) | Record | 21-5-0 (9 KO) |
Hooker vs Chandler UFC Prediction and Betting Pick
PREDICTION: Hooker -138 - I hate to display obvious bias, but let's not beat around the bush: the UFC is the best MMA organization in the world and the lightweight division has been absolutely loaded over the past few years. While Chandler was mopping up competition in Bellator, he rarely faced anybody with Hooker's caliber of striking, and the last time he did – against Patricio Freire – he was knocked out.
Although there might be concerns over the state of Hooker's body after that battle against Poirier, he's had seven months to recover and is actually four years younger than Chandler, so he should have plenty left in the tank.
If Chandler can get this fight to the ground and establish top control, he will have the edge. But that's easier said than done against Hooker, who has faced some strong grapplers in the past and has an impressive 77 percent takedown defense.
Look for Hooker to use his four-inch reach advantage and superior striking to pull the aggressive Chandler into traps. With oddsmakers, and Dana White, giving the UFC newcomer lots of love, back Hooker at this decent price.
Where Can I Bet on UFC Odds?
Most online sportsbooks and casinos offer bets on UFC odds and props. While odds to win usually come out as soon as a fight is announced, prop bets become more readily available closer to an event. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live and see what UFC bets they have available.
