Here are Guy Giles' best UFC picks for Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Visit the Betway Insider for picks on all the biggest fights.

Hooker vs Chandler odds:

The co-main event of UFC 257 on Fight Island is an exciting lightweight battle between Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler.

Currently ranked No. 6 at 155lb, Hooker is coming into this on the back of a loss to Dustin Poirier – who competes in the main event – in a Fight of the Year contender back in June 2020.

The New Zealander remains firmly in contention for a title push despite that loss, and heads to Abu Dhabi as the favourite.

He welcomes Chandler, a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, to the Octagon on Saturday night.

The American has long been one of the best outside the UFC, and he gets his chance to work towards becoming a two-promotion world champion at the age of 34.

He is currently unranked, but a win over Hooker would surely see him climb towards the top of the lightweight ladder.

He enters this fight as the slight underdog.

Hooker vs Chandler prediction:

Becoming a three-time Bellator world champion is a serious achievement, but there can be little doubt that the calibre of opponent Chandler has faced simply does not match up to those in the UFC.

It is well established that the UFC is the best martial arts promotion in the world, and that 155lb is its most competitive division.

Hooker is one of the most durable fighters at this weight, and Chandler will not be able to blast him out of there in the first round – like he did in three of his last four victories.

Should he manage to get the fight to the ground, the American might be able to force a win with his devastating ground-and-pound and well-rounded submission skills.

His striking should not be overlooked – he has nine career KO wins, including against Benson Henderson and Brent Primus – but he has rarely faced anyone with Hooker’s skills on the feet.

The Kiwi is powerful and accurate with his strikes, and possesses a four-inch reach advantage over Chandler.

He is creative at close range as well, with big knees down the middle and raking elbows in the clinch, so won’t fear the grappling exchanges.

Chandler has shown a weakness against high-level strikers in the past – he was knocked out in the first round by current Bellator champ Patricio Freire in his most recent loss.

The American also knows he only has a small window in which to try and win the UFC belt, so may seek a big finish to stamp his arrival, a risk that would leave him vulnerable.

Hooker will not be baited into a slugfest, so backing him to pick Chandler apart and get a finish on the feet at looks the way to go.

Dan Hooker to win by KO, TKO or disqualification .

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