8 hours ago
Henri Hooft names UFC 317 headliner Ilia Topuria as best technical striker in MMA
Renowned coach Henri Hooft rates Ilia Topuria's striking very highly.
Hooft, a ex-kickboxer and head coach of Kill Cliff FC, has seen Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) train first hand. The former UFC featherweight champion spent some time training at Hooft's gym in preparation for his fight against Josh Emmett in June 2023.
Topuria takes on Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) for the vacant lightweight title in the UFC 317 main event on June 28 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
"MMA striking is totally different than like boxing or kickboxing," Hooft said in an interview with Home of Fight. "But of course, everybody knows that Ilia has maybe at least the most powerful and fast hands that you can see, has a very good technique, good style. For me, he's the best striker."
Hooft also enjoys watching UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis – even though he's aware that he's not the most technical striker.
"But you have also people that have striking that's not technically so good, but it works for them, and you see with Dricus (Du Plessis)," Hooft continued. "He's not the great striker that they say they were technically, but he hits at the right moment. So, what is better? I, of course, am a big fan of Ilia, but also a big fan of Dricus. So, MMA striking is different, but I think technically striking, Ilia is the best striker. Charles is also really good. That's why it's going to be a really nice fight. Charles has good knees and good elbows."
