UFC 290 Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker Picks and Predictions: Lightweight Laser Show in Las Vegas

Destiny brings Jalin Turner and Dan Hooker together at last, and this all-action clash between lightweights might just steal the show on the UFC 290 undercard, taking place this Saturday, July 8, from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

UFC odds believe Turner has what it takes to overcome the battle-tested Hooker at -260. The rough-and-tumble veteran Hooker is a +230 underdog. 

Both fighters are known for their short nights and in all likelihood, this doesn’t go the distance.

Turner vs. Hooker is going to feature a lot of two-way action, so let’s see what I see ahead of their battle this Saturday.

Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker method of victory odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings on July 8, 2023.

Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker picks

• Prediction: Turner ML (-275)
• Best bet: Turner by KO/TKO/DQ (+175)

Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker betting preview

Turner was initially scheduled to face Hooker at UFC 285, but Hooker’s injury saw him substituted with Mateusz Gamrot, who beat Turner by a split decision. As tough as Hooker is, this weathered version is a step down from Gamrot. Even then, Turner fought well and had an argument to win the fight.

The explosive Turner has finishes in all of his UFC wins so far. His impressive 6-foot-3 frame and long reach make the southpaw a dangerous striker, but he also possesses a BJJ brown belt. After wearing his opponents down with his long, devastating strikes, Turner likes to close the distance and either turn up the striking intensity or look for a submission.

Unlike Gamrot, who wrestled away Turner’s natural advantages, Hooker is going to want to fight. That should be fine for Turner, who will have a field day with Hooker’s leaky defense. With Hooker’s resilience and one-punch power lingering, Turner will be best suited to maintaining a safe operating range unless he sees Hooker is reeling or on the ground.

Hooker is 33 years old, but can still go. He is still too harsh for the uninitiated, such as Claudio Puelles or Nasrat Haqparast, but overmatched against the real deal fighters like Michael Chandler and Islam Makhachev. Hooker is still good enough where he could give Turner a scare, but he’s fallen off his prime, having gone 5-5 in his last 10 fights.

At his best, Hooker was an aggressive finisher with 18 finishes in 22 wins. Now, Hooker remains dangerous but vulnerable. After his savage war with Poirier in 2020, he has been finished three times.    

Nobody is going to confuse Turner for the likes of Makhachev or Poirier at this stage of his career, so Hooker has to be on his toes and maybe avoid his primary instinct to engage. The best chance he has is to keep the fight slow, using his footwork to create angles and score on the outside.  

Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker tale of the tape

Jalin Turner vs Dan Hooker UFC prediction and best bet

Fight prediction: Turner

I can see Hooker having limited success being mindful of Turner’s kicks and trying to counter, but he won’t be able to sustain that pace. Turner is nimble, long, and athletic. Once he closes the gap and starts putting the heat on Hooker, this will become a fistfight that will play directly into Turner’s hands, giving him a clear path to victory.

Prediction: Turner moneyline (-275 at DraftKings)

Fight best bet: Turner by KO/TKO/DQ

Turner has won all his fights inside the distance since joining the UFC, and Hooker’s last three losses have been finishes. Because Hooker won’t be able to force Turner backward, he’ll succumb to the younger fighter’s pressure and fold soon after. My call is that Turner vs. Hooker is fun while it lasts, but Turner will come out with a TKO win.

Pick: Turner by KO/TKO/DQ (+175 at DraftKings)

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