‘I see it getting even bigger’: Hooker predicts buoyant future for MMA in NZ
New Zealand mixed martial arts is riding a wave of success and Dan Hooker believes it’s just the start of a golden period for the sport in this country.
Hooker is looking to build on the momentum from City Kickboxing team-mate and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s breakthrough at the Halberg Awards when he headlines the UFC Fight Night against American lightweight Paul
Felder in Auckland on Sunday.
Adesanya was crowned sportsman of the year and stole the show with a captivating acceptance speech in which he spoke out against New Zealand’s tall poppy syndrome.
It was the first time a mixed martial artist had been honoured at the country’s premier sports awards – and first combat sports athlete since 1953.
Judging by the reaction he’s seen in the days since, Hooker says it has exposed MMA to a new audience.
‘‘I feel like it meant so much to everyone outside of the sport,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve had so many people asking me about it that I thought were never interested or gave it any respect, they now have their eyes open to it.
‘‘It means a lot to the growth of the sport in the future. Being a mainstream sport is the only way we’re going to get more people in the gyms, more people committed to the sport, so it’s a sign of progress.’’
As the first Kiwi-based fighter signed to the UFC, Hooker has experienced first-hand MMA’s growth in popularity here.
The 30-year-old made his promotional debut during the UFC’s maiden event in Auckland in 2014 and recalls having ‘‘maybe one interview before that fight’’. This week he has three days’ worth of media commitments, while Sunday’s event is being shown on free-toair TV on Prime – a first for New Zealand.
Hooker is one of five Kiwi UFC fighters to train out of City Kickboxing, which has played a significant role in the sport’s development, particularly at the elite level, and is now recognised
as one of the best combat sports gyms in the world. He also founded his own gym, The Combat Academy, where he mentors the next generation coming through. It’s the talent coming through those doors and who he trains alongside that has Hooker so optimistic about the future.
‘‘It’s just been rolling and growing. It’s not ever been one thing that’s made the sport in the position it is now,’’ he said.
‘‘I see it getting even bigger, though, because I know the potential we have inside the gym competing and I just see it growing. I feel like this is the start and I feel like New Zealand will continue to be a powerhouse in MMA.’’
Hooker is joined on this weekend’s card at Spark Arena by two of his team-mates. Fellow lightweight Brad Riddell takes on Mustafa Mustafaev, while eighthranked flyweight Kai KaraFrance is up against Tyson Nam.
‘‘I feel like New Zealand will continue to be a powerhouse in MMA.’’
Dan Hooker, left