Kiwi fighter wins on Vegas’ big stage
New Zealand lightweight Dan Hooker has scored the biggest win of his MMA career.
Hooker triumphed against top British prospect Marc Diakiese in Las Vegas yesterday in the UFC 219 event, when Diakiese tapped out from a guillotine chokehold from the Kiwi, 42 seconds into round three. It appeared Hooker was behind on points after two of the three rounds on two of the three judges’ cards.
Hooker will now likely feature at UFC 221 in Perth in February. He called out UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Sean Shelby.
‘‘UFC Perth is in six weeks and I want in that card,’’ Hooker said.
‘‘I won the first, won the second and finished him in the third. I don’t think there is any more you can do.
‘‘After the fight, I went over to Joe Rogan and said ‘now you know who I am’ but that really wasn’t directed at Joe, that was about everyone. I feel like I’ve had a lot of gatekeeper fights and I’m proving that I am not the gatekeeper, I’m the real deal,’’ he added.
‘‘I won the first two rounds and he had to play catchup. When you’re in that position, you have to take risks so he got more aggressive. He went for a shoddy takedown and I snatched his neck. Don’t leave your neck open around me or I will snatch it. I want to fight in Perth and I don’t care who the opponent is.
‘‘A six-week notice is short turnaround for anyone ... so I suggest someone messages Sean Shelby and asks for it if they want to go. I’ll fight anyone. I want a Max Holloway rise. I want to fight everyone, no shortcuts to easy fights. I’ll fight anyone, anywhere.’’
When asked about the chokehold that secured his victory, Hooker said: ‘‘That’s just one of my chokes, that’s my second win in the UFC with that choke, you’ve got to watch your neck around me.’’
In the headline bout, Brazil’s Cris Cyborg retained her UFC title in style.
Cyborg, who has not lost a professional MMA fight since 2005, won by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) over the gallant but ultimately battered Holm, extending her unbeaten streak to 19 with a victory over the former bantamweight champion with a knack for big upsets.