UFC 243 live blog: Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker

This is the UFC 243 live blog for Al Iaquinta vs. Dan Hooker, a lightweight bout at Saturday’s UFC event at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Iaquinta, who has alternated wins and losses in his last four appearances, faces Hooker, who has won five of his last six fights, in the co-main event.

Check out the UFC 243 live blog below.

Round 1: The referee for this co-headliner is John Sharp. Iaquinta immediately working to get inside Hooker’s jab, he closes the distance and Hooker slips out. Sharp leg kick by Hooker scores. They trade, neither landing anything clean. Hooker backing Iaquinta up with his rangy strikes. Right hand connects for Iaquinta. Leg kick by Hooker causes Iaquinta to stumble. Iaquinta switches to southpaw. He goes in for a single leg, his mouthpiece falls out and the referee tries to stop the action, but Iaquinta ignores him and drives in for the takedown. Hooker stuffs it and he starts doing damage with elbows before taking Iaquinta’s back. Iaquinta fighting the hands well. Iaquinta is out. Jab-leg kick by Hooker, then another leg kick has Iaquinta stumbling again. Hard counter jab by Hooker tags Iaquinta as he lunges in. High kick misses, but Hooker lands another solid jab to end the round.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hooker.

Round 2: Iaquinta doing a better job of getting in already and he lands a couple of clean punches. Hooker pawing with that jab as he backs up. Leg kick game working well for Hooker. He’s content keeping Iaquinta at the end of his punches and not overcommitting to anything. Perfectly timed leg kick lands as Iaquinta drops in for a takedown attempt that falls short. Iaquinta doubles up on a jab, Hooker counters with a punch. Iaquinta having some success turning this into a brawl, but Hooker is right there to meet him blow-for-blow. Hooker’s leg kicks are chopping Iaquinta down. Iaquinta goes in for a single leg and Hooker sprawls and pushes Iaquinta’s head. He’s not giving up the takedown easy. Hooker almost gets his back, he’s leaning on Iaquinta against the cage now. Hooker backs off. 1-2 over the top by Hooker is good. Right hook lands right on the chin and Iaquinta drops to his back. Hooker down there with him, he’s on top throwing punches. Late ankle lock attempt by Iaquinta and Hooker just waves his finger as the buzzer sounds.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hooker. Overall, 20-18 Hooker.

Round 3: Hooker sticking with the leg kicks, he’s looking comfortable. Straight right is good for Hooker. Iaquinta a step slow and he cannot get past Hooker’s jab. Nice left hand by Iaquinta, but he’s still getting caught with jabs. Short punch by Hooker appears to wobble Iaquinta. Hooker not letting Iaquinta dictate the pace, he’s initiating the punching exchanges and winning them. Iaquinta pumping the jab to get in and he scores with a right hand. Hooker takes a leg kick, then a punch to the body before popping Iaquinta with another jab. Iaquinta not going down without a fight, but he can’t put together any long stretches of offense before Hooker pushes him back with his counters. Another leg kick briefly drops Iaquinta to a knee. More jabs from Hooker as the fight ends with Iaquinta in hot pursuit.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Hooker. Overall, 30-27 Hooker.

Official result: Dan Hooker def. Al Iaquinta via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)