The co-headliner of tonight’s UFC on FOX 31 event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin featured a key lightweight battle between perennial division contenders Dan Hooker and Edson Barboza.
Edson Barboza (19-6 MMA) entered tonight’s contest looking to rebound, this after suffering losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee in his two most recent octagon appearances.
As for Dan Hooker, “Hangman” entered the UFC on FOX 31 co-headliner on a four-fight win streak, his latest being a first-round knockout of Gilbert Burns at July’s UFC 226 event in Las Vegas.
Tonight’s UFC Milwaukee co-main attraction lived up to expectations as Edson Barboza and Dan Hooker proceeded to go to war for the better part of fifteen minutes.
In the third and final round, Edson Barboza connected with multiple spinning back kicks, this in addition to knees, elbows and punches, which eventually forced an incredibly tough Dan Hooker to hit the canvas.
The sensational battle between Edson Barboza and Dan Hooker spawned a plethora of reactions from fellow fighters on social media.
Check out all the reactions from tonight’s co-main event in Milwaukee below.
I agree @EdsonBarbozaJR is top 3 best kickers in the game if not the best #Ouch #UFCMilwaukee
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) December 16, 2018
@danthehangman and @EdsonBarbozaJR and throwing the fuck down @ufc
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) December 16, 2018
@EdsonBarbozaJR kicks are life goals #UFCMilwaukee
— Katlyn Chookagian (@blondefighter) December 16, 2018
@danthehangman and @EdsonBarbozaJR and throwing the fuck down @ufc
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) December 16, 2018
Incredible fight by @EdsonBarbozaJR and @danthehangman well done Edson. And dan, you’re one tough son of a bitch! Loved it!
— michael (@bisping) December 16, 2018
Dan Hooker is a BEAST!!! WHAAAAT!! Its like that bad dream where the guy trying to kill you is taking everything.
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) December 16, 2018
My god this Hooker
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 16, 2018
So much respect to @danthehangman
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) December 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/TSPMMA115/status/1074130550317707266
https://twitter.com/USMAN84kg/status/1074129097561915397
https://twitter.com/USMAN84kg/status/1074132109185441792
Following his impressive stoppage victory over Dan Hooker, who would you like to see Edson Barboza fight in his next octagon appearance? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!