Hooker to headline UFC event
Dan Hooker will be the headline act in his hometown after being confirmed for the main event when the UFC returns to Auckland next year.
Hooker, the seventh-ranked lightweight, will continue his push for a title shot against No 6 contender Paul Felder at the UFC Fight Night at Spark Arena on February 23.
With Israel Adesanya being lined up to defend his middleweight title on a pay-per-view show next year, Hooker (20-8) was always the frontrunner to lead the card.
The Auckland fighter, who featured on the undercard of the previous two UFC events in Auckland, has been on a remarkable run since moving up to lightweight two years ago.
He is 7-1 in the division, earning a reputation for slick highlight-reel stoppages against Ross Pearson, Jim Miller and James Vick.
Last month, ‘The Hangman’ stated his case for a five-round main event slot with a dominant unanimous decision win over the highly-rated Al Iaquinta, showcasing his technique and fight IQ.
His wish has been granted with Felder (17-4) making the trip from America for a fight that is almost two years in the making.
Hooker earned widespread praise for respectfully calling out Felder, who was working as a UFC commentator at the time, as ‘The Irish Dragon’ interviewed the Kiwi following his win over Miller in April, 2018.
Felder was appreciative of the fact Hooker asked for the matchup to his face. And while the matchmakers had different plans back then, the stage is now set for an entertaining clash with the chance for the winner to move into the top five of the stacked division.
Felder is a natural striker with an exciting style emanating from black belts in both tae kwon do and karate.
Owner of four UFC post-fight bonuses, the 35-year-old has defeated several notable lightweights, including Vick, Charles Oliveira and, most recently, Edson Barboza, who handed Hooker his only defeat in the division at the end of last year.
‘‘We are thrilled to return to Auckland with our third live UFC event’’ said David Shaw, UFC senior vice-president, international and content.
‘‘New Zealand is a hot market for UFC . . .’’
The main event was one of four bouts added to the card, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale on Friday, December 6. Australian lightheavyweight Tyson Pedro (7-3) will make his return from a long injury layoff against Vinicius Moreira (9-4), with fellow Aussie Jake Matthews (15-4) up against Norwegian welterweight Emil Meek (9-4-1, 1 NC).
Melbourne-based Kiwi heavyweight Ben Sosoli (7-2, 2 NC) will also make his second UFC appearance against Marcos Rogerio de Lima (16-7-1).
Sosoli’s debut against controversial former NFL player Greg Hardy in October ended in a nocontest after Hardy was found to have used an inhaler in between rounds.
While not yet confirmed, Hooker is reportedly set to be joined on the card by City Kickboxing team-mate Brad Riddell (7-1) in a lightweight clash against Russian Magomed Mustafaev (15-2).
Riddell is coming off a Fight of the Night performance in his promotional debut at UFC 243 last month, registering a unanimous decision victory over Jamie Mullarkey.
Another City Kickboxing fighter, sixth-ranked flyweight Kai Kara-France, is also expected to push for a spot on the card should he get through his upcoming bout unscathed against Brandon Moreno in Las Vegas on December 15.