Dan Hooker: I fought ‘terribly’ against Dustin Poirier | Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show | ESPN MMA

[@asnee2459]

My respect for hooker increased so much after the porier fight. His stock has definitely gone up in the eyes of the general mma community and I can’t wait to see him do great things. He brings VIOLENCE every time!!

[@westcoast8506]

If he improved so much he should’ve smoke Paul Felder, but he is down to scrap

[@penayecyrille9405]

@@westcoast8506 You are underestimating Felder, Felder cannot be smoked, his chin has never been cracked

[@highlyvenomoustoad]

@@penayecyrille9405 very true man. i am excited to see what a slim felder looks like with a full camp

[@ChurchInAshes]

@@penayecyrille9405 saw Felder Vs Dan live was definitely close, Dan edged it out slightly. But Felder deserves to be in the mix still

[@Ronycoolman00]

The turning point was his loss to edson barbosa, he hung in there but was out gunned. Hes coming of age now!!!

[@AsherKjhad]

Can't miss a Dan Hooker fight.. Always delivers. 🔥 🔥

[@aleksisuhonen5433]

Same with Khabib!

[@craigman7262]

Chandler gonna sub him

[@Ramin2340]

@@craigman7262 LOL

[@cookazor]

@@aleksisuhonen5433 always wins? Yes. Always delivers? No.

[@indeedConfirmed]

@@aleksisuhonen5433 khabib rarely delivers

[@MafiaOnYourCase]

'Yeah EUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRR....'

[@mrUnknownIdetity]

I thought he lost his wifi lmao

[@Dash101]

I read the comment a sec before he said it. Whatever 'it' was😄

[@namankitmohanty1634]

😂😂😂😭😭bruh

[@ohoward512]

I gotta clip that portion and use it as a Twitter meme.

[@adamrose6969]

When I heard that I looked at my phone to see if it was messed up

[@MMAsurge]

Dan always brings the fight, can’t wait to see him compete live! 👊🏼🔥

[@officialdonho]

Why you gotta rub it in though?

[@Boxingdiehard]

It’s gonna be a war

[@MMAsurge]

@@officialdonho haha just excited!

[@lrwkobra1]

@@MMAsurge excited for you. Its gonna be a wild one! Who have you got in the main event?

[@MMAsurge]

@@lrwkobra1 For the PPV card I’ve got to go with Conor. I’m a big fan of Dustin too, but I don’t think he’ll be able to take that left hand shot. He eats a lot of punches in his fights.

[@kennytaco4474]

I wouldn’t say horrible just very recklessly! He had the ability to win that fight but I think the exhaustion got to him idk. He can totally still get back up there. Especially being at the camp he’s at. He’s in good hands

[@AliBenZarrouk]

He just fought someone better

[@kennytaco4474]

@@AliBenZarrouk in the style of fight that he fought against him yes. He fought Dustin’s fight.

[@Lowelife48]

I think it shouldn't go unnoticed that they fought in that smaller apex cage which definitely benefited Dustin. Had it been the normal one I think Dan gets his hand raised instead but I can only speculate.

[@TheButcher-w7z]

@@kennytaco4474 that "style" of fight is also hookers style though...it looked all his other fights only it didn't work this time

[@TheButcher-w7z]

​@@Lowelife48 i think that's a really brainless speculation but we're all entitled to our own opinions..

[@martyfromnebraska4890]

I’m glad that Hooker is adjusting his game and fitting more into what the City Kickboxing philosophy is, Dan has been in back to back wars and eventually that is going to catch up with him

[@madbroxxx]

Permanent brain and tissue damage is something fans don't see. He has to start looking at longevity in the sport as well a life after fighting.

[@hellotcautiver]

@@madbroxxx facts, I like Dan, dude needs to take care of himself

[@Ronycoolman00]

What about the barbosa fight? No walk in the park

[@string15276]

Marty from nebraska is that nae Usman. He's 170

[@SonGokuuuuuuu]

Respect to Dan for acknowledging Chandler as high level competition, unlike a lot of these UFC-only elitest casuals.

[@johnnysanchez4996]

Says the 15 year old with a cartoon character as his profile pic lol.

[@dococ3561]

@@johnnysanchez4996 Half the UFC roster are Dragon Ball Z fans lol you’re a clown

[@johnnysanchez4996]

@@dococ3561 Hahahahahhahahahah!

[@samanthaosbourne9401]

@@johnnysanchez4996 L

[@smolgok384]

@@johnnysanchez4996 15 y/o typically aren't Dragonball Z fans. More the 25-35 age group.

[@robbieg5538]

All the best for the fight Dan. Huge respect for the 6 weeks of isolation that you have to endure to bring a potential 15 minute fight for the fans. Legend.

[@iAdvancedU]

the man Always delivers with his life on the line 👊🏼🔥

[@mj-7444]

He’s a smart kid too, I like him.

[@mj-7444]

I do think Felder edged him tho, Honestly.I didn’t see that coming.

[@spa2damax]

@@mj-7444 100% right, he was surprised to hear his name called for the win too lol.

[@dr.loomis4221]

does he though?

[@coleeg69]

Get a woman like Dan's. Telling him to stop complaining 😂

[@ThatGuyAl155]

@Ivey 96 good life

[@sferguson1130]

I was never not a fan of Dan, but I have a whole new found respect for him after this interview, and for how he’s carried himself since that loss

[@hughnormous5985]

Dan Hooker’s a legend

[@WhyBigjordan]

get Ryan hall a fight.

[@Razor-Lined]

Ryan Hall?

[@WhyBigjordan]

@@Razor-Lined thank you.

[@Razor-Lined]

@@WhyBigjordan I really wanna see him get more fights also

[@WhyBigjordan]

@@Razor-Lined yeah bro, the division is trying to wait till he gets old.

[@Razor-Lined]

@And The Salt Spreads ryan hall

[@daniellim5137]

Dan is a true definition of a fighter. This guy was just born to fight..... He is blessed for finding his craft, which many men don't in their entire lives.... The rawness of his enthusiasm to fight the diaz brothers is just proof of this...

[@fryguy3389]

Im pumped for the card!!!

[@mohanad0408]

Dan seems like a guy that would pull off the cruelest most insensitive pranks, then laugh hard in your face.

[@conorkelly8746]

No he doesn’t

[@mohanad0408]

@@conorkelly8746 you definitely seem like an easy victim of his pranks. “Stop it Dan ... it’s not funny”

[@conorkelly8746]

@@mohanad0408 what are you on about

[@IAMTheDeffence]

Not at all

[@jbasti227]

@Jake Then laugh hard in your face

[@mav2503]

Dan Hooker is a REAL fighter. What a killer, always comes to put on a show for the fans

[@PlayFloyd_IN]

Such a legendary and an iconic fighter. Excellent representative of MMA and martial arts in general as well.

[@XxxULTIMATEZxxX]

What has he done that’s “legendary” or “iconic”?

[@CGSocDem]

@@XxxULTIMATEZxxX Right? Haha good fighter and seems like a decent man but legend and icon definitely not

[@PlayFloyd_IN]

@@XxxULTIMATEZxxX - I urge you to read and learn the meaning of iconic and legendary. If you do and then put Dan's career in context, it should answer your question.

[@Blaz1ngFury]

@@PlayFloyd_IN I agree man. These dudes are casuals. Dan is truly a legendary fighter and deserves that status. I think he will win by ko/tko his next fight .

[@XxxULTIMATEZxxX]

@@PlayFloyd_IN “Put Dan’s career in context”. I don’t know what that’s supposed to mean? He was an Australian Fighting Championship Lightweight champion, but has never made it into the top 5 of a UFC division. Putting his career in context, he hasn’t achieved a great deal internationally. Not enough to be considered an “iconic” figure in the sport. Of course he’s a great fighter, but there are hundreds of “great fighters” in the UFC.

[@leandroantelo7154]

Dream match: dan Hooker vs rory McDonald at welterweight 5 rounds 🤕

[@AndrewN553]

Would be fun. I personally feel like a Hooker x Ferguson match up would be great also.

[@flexspiritualkombat8084]

Dude, you trying to see Rorys 👃turn to dust?

[@drake1896]

Rory would dominate pretty sure. He was just so good

[@anse1774]

You want Hooker to get dominated. Are you crazy?

[@thornadohq5048]

@@anse1774 not gonna happen. 1 yr ago i would have totally agreed that Rory dominates Hooker but not now. Hunger in Hooker is to strong to be dominated. He got all tools to be best lightweight if Khabib retires but he NEEDS BIGGGGGG adjustments.

[@actuallywetsocks2374]

Dan is shirtless in like 80% of his interviews lately

[@aaronfarricker3551]

Next level heat Southern hemisphere bro

[@bingbong234-o9x]

sexy body indeed

[@Dash101]

Must be summer down under, after all its winter in the northern hemisphere

[@sportallyo]

@@bingbong234-o9x bruh

[@profileone5655]

Do shirtless men make you uncomfortable ?

[@keepingit_real5005]

Will be Checking Dan Hooker Podcast for sure. True to one self or what. Makes for a top fight.

[@ilikefights4141]

No he didn’t, he fought great. Dustins just better

[@SkilledFloorGuy]

He is way too tough on himself. Hooker vs Chandler should be a great fight

[@italianstalian331]

Naw as good as he did I think he's better than that n could beat dustin in a rematch

[@cyrusmufc2914]

Nah he just got tired rewatch

[@josebarrera1497]

I also thought he got tired after hurting poirier with the flurry and knee

[@AsherKjhad]

Why tf do you fangirls get so sensitive? Atleast watch the interview before crying first. He always gives credit

[@NgataiW]

Dan Hooker is the man. Really hope and want him to get this one!

[@sportstop5]

Always smiling, positive and ready to step in. Go Hangman! Whole of Aotearoa is behind you!!

[@Snadaaahhh]

Dan's the man, we need more Dan.

[@mmireles014]

Hooker earned my respect when he went 5 rounds vs Dustin. Not even Justin was able to do that!

[@walusitumbeko4051]

Dudes got a serious chin

[@DarkCloudian]

His cardio is his greatest weakness. He tends to disappear around the 3rd

[@jake2867]

Good things this ones 3 rounds! Also think his pacing is the issue - as he stated he is looking to fight a lot cleaner this time like his teammate's

[@omarmosaad9878]

@@jake2867 i agree he always puts on an insane pace and slows down in the third and starts to wrestle the felder fight is a perfect example

[@briandube4503]

Always enjoying his interviews. This boy trains, entertains, enjoys and goes back home to live his life

[@thornadohq5048]

He got a great Podcast. He's very intelligent too and will make a great coach.

[@herb.itall.bivore7288]

One of the most likeable guys in the UFC!!!

[@Boxingdiehard]

Love watching you fight Dan! Great matchup for you to win FOTN again. Can’t wait brother!!!

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Always seen a great and exciting Dan fight, his fight against Dustin was EPIC and one of his best performances so far...

[@ML-op3hw]

Gotta be honest , Dan wasn’t on my radar . But what a lad , he sure is now ! Also hope he beats Michael “here for a good time not long time” Chandler

[@lucasmoney2008]

Doesn’t get to see his family till March got to give it up to the hangman

[@MarthMain]

Dan is one of my favorite fighters. I hope he can get that McGregor fight. That would be a great fight.

[@austin7530]

Why does he look like Joanna in the thumbnail lmfao

[@heman594]

helwani u gotta be one of the best itnerviewers on the planet, your passion for the fighters shows

[@chasezimmerman1148]

The highlight vs the hangman would be a ridiculous fight

[@jacobslaughter7198]

That Sounded Almost like a Nick Diaz Callout .. fk that would be great fight

[@ericforeman3800]

Wholesome dude for sure

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Dustins just better...

[@NicolaMaxwell]

(Hooker fought well though)

[@nikhilmeel9802]

Who said he isn't? That doesn't mean Hooker fought his best fight. Does that bother you? That he gave Poirier everything he could handle while not being at his best? 🤷‍♂️

[@rampalmeel3179]

Maybe. Better conditioning and durability yes. But that fight showed that skill wise Hooker is easily on that level.

[@NicolaMaxwell]

@@nikhilmeel9802 see comment above yours....

[@NicolaMaxwell]

@@rampalmeel3179 yeah I said that lol he fought great just Dustin was better

[@NZN8V1]

Let's go dan. AOTEAROA represent

[@that1guy899]

Win or loose, I think the hang man is the perfect welcoming party for Chandler!

[@cwallace]

10:11 you're welcome

[@Meru112]

thanks bro 🙏🙏

[@shawtop]

What a nice guy.

[@mplovecraft]

I feel he has the potential to level up and he's in the right place to do it - excellent coach and team. Time to show if he's going to be talked about as "he's as tough as they come" like Felder/Cerrone or if he's going to be mentioned among the contenders and champs.

[@fengshuimma9160]

This mans got a funky character.

[@shakeyhead0079]

Big fan of this guy. Always bringing the heat.

[@piotrmusk6358]

you fight like your opponent allow you to fight so.. btw I love interviews with this man

[@boogyjuggy]

gonna be a good one, violent

[@stephenc4159]

Violent, just the way we like it.

[@mmastuff1150]

It's fun listening to Dan

[@andrewpirie7973]

Warrior and all round top down to earth man

[@izet5413]

With all this hype about Hooker its crazy that people forget that Barboza mopped the floor with him not so long ago😃

[@XxxULTIMATEZxxX]

Facts!

[@absknd12]

That's like saying with all this hype around Burns ppl forget that Hooker mopped the flow with him just in 2018. Fighters change and improve dummy

[@izet5413]

@@absknd12 yup just like steven thompson whopped the former mw champ whittaker but thats the difference, those guys moved up a weight class and have since looked better. Hooker got beat up bad in his own weight class very recently. Im not saying he isn’t better and improved im just saying im not buying him as a contender for those reasons. Who has he beat except felder ? Lets be real here.

[@anderms1234]

@@izet5413 he worked Al Iaquinta ...... you've got causal fan written all over you

[@phnx_eth]

He’s so happy

[@dopvmine_p]

poirier was having so much success with that step through straight and there was no adjustments made to better deal with it... i thought between rounds he would get it squared away....

[@rickybobby38]

yeah, he didn''t seem to recover his energy after that end of round two flurry and it was pretty much over from there - it's gonna sound weird, but this was very similar to the first Conor/Nate fight, except Dan didn't wither away & basically give up like Conor did

[@pricelessproductions7061]

He better beat Chandler...I feel like the UFC wants Chandler to win so they can fast track him and promote him for title contention...I hope dan proves chandler ain't top 5 yet

[@eazyduzit2464]

Respect made no excuses

[@DJSKEETSKEE]

They should do a live gate event down in kiwi town

[@nathanberesford4139]

He didn’t fight that bad against Dustin he almost finished him in the 2nd...he definitely is a top 5 fighter and can’t wait for him to fight chandler

[@AlAdams13]

Interesting matchup of styles and different body types, I still got Chandler but best of luck too both!

[@1993Erod]

Dan is the man

[@shadowmovement4976]

He films that podcast in a professional sports radio studio I used to work at that closed due to COVID. Pretty sure that’s the only thing it’s used for now. He used to do in studio breakdowns there and must have kept a set of keys and swipe card lol

[@clearlyfeltatap558]

It's good to see a majority of the MMA community finally realize how good Hooker is. I get the Felder trash talk / controversial decision turned some people away but he's undeniably entertaining

[@anthonypeterkin]

Dustin has a family to look after he just wanted it more that night both are champ material

[@glassfanatic6691]

It's actually crazy how late Ariel is with this interview, shoutout to the smaller KZbinrs that got the interview during Ariel's Holiday 👊 Still awesome interview, I don't think I heard anything about Hooker vs a Diaz brother but that'd be sick! 🔥 Can't wait for MMA to come back this weekend 🥊

[@fvgc454ss]

He lost to Felder. Idc what the judges said.

[@pootisspencer5492]

agreed. one late takedown with no significant control time or attempt to improve position shouldn’t win you a fight

[@daniellim5137]

I hope Dan gives Chandler a absolute proper introduction to the UFC!

[@Ronycoolman00]

Dan said previously he emptied the gas tank trying to get dustin outta there, he nearly did but cost him the decision. Him vs dobronx is a sick fight.

[@serrajin4851]

It’s a cool match up but Charles will get that submission.

[@adrianharcourt31]

If he thinks that was terrible fighting against Poirier then I don't think we have seen his full potential. I thought he fought pretty well, Poirier just had the edge towards the later rounds and that just comes down to experience. He has nothing to be ashamed of, in my books it was fight of the year. Hooker please give Chandler a good old fashioned welcoming to the Ufc and then send him back to Bellator.

[@gejugfeguug5623]

He fought even worse in his next fight

[@dr.loomis4221]

He looked scared in there against Chandler. Like Vick versus Gaethje.

[@michaelroot6064]

How did he fight against Barbosa

[@Mmastrikes205]

The worst way one could fight with barboza Initiating a kicking game against him instead of pressuing him like Tony, khabib and Justin did

[@nickkelly3199]

He took 10+ spinning kicks to the body and could barely stand let alone fight anymore, then Edson ripped a left hook to his liver and he dropped. Hooker could barely fight back the 2nd half of the fight it was tough to watch, the guy is as tough as the come though.

[@cruz_rossi99]

@@nickkelly3199 he is

[@flexspiritualkombat8084]

Dan won via omaplata

[@kennycox5552]

So why don’t we have the fights in New Zealand?

[@crujones2849]

Right!!! How is nobody bringing this up? We could have had a conor stadium fight with 80k fans, but instead there fighting in front 2000? New Zealand should be fight island

[@galacticgas7249]

I don’t like people who don’t accept what happened. No Dan, Dustin was the better fighter that night. Don’t try & take credit away from his Win

[@galacticgas7249]

Love the dude as a fighter, but come on bro

[@Rfono97]

what he said was true though and it definitely didn't take anything away from Dustin. Dustin exploited Hookers defensive weaknesses

[@Twentywulf]

Dan will destroy Chandler and send him back to where he came from....from FRIENDS

[@rickybobby38]

BING !!

[@theriddler2567]

I agree, Dan didn't accomplish what he was supposed to do to get the dub over Dustin poirier, the knees the elbows the accuracy all missed or just didn't land properly to have more of an effect on dustin

[@rickybobby38]

Yeah, when he came out for round three he was noticeably different from those excellent first two rounds, he was visibly slower & his striking output was garbage ... he knows he mismanaged his energy & threw out any of the usually decent striking defence ... let's see how he's changed for this Chandler debut

[@kennyemm5982]

Hooker and diaz is a match made in heaven be great fight

[@kennyemm5982]

@Eric Champion maybe i think there styles are very similar and same build but a think dan is the fresher fighter more hungry i think he will take it plus nate does get beat alot ha

[@travismckenzie4317]

LFG DAN!! 🇳🇿

[@XoXo475]

When did Dan Hooker stop singing for Coldplay ?

[@glendurrant3988]

Wasn’t going to purchase this ppv until hooker and chandler were announced 😃👍🏽👊

[@mmamultiverse75]

Hooked reminds me a little bit of Dillashaw, ferguson, till

[@frostedhebrew3373]

Looks of Dallas Dillashaw, fights like Tony, has Till's sense of humor....spot on!

[@alloy5526]

@@frostedhebrew3373 He fights nothing like tony, idk what you see that makes you think that

[@frostedhebrew3373]

@@alloy5526 he gets hit a lot and is a pressure fighter predominantly, slightly less unorthodox than Tony, but unorthodox enough to justify a comparison. Lanky, swap the elbows for the knees, and that's how I make that comparison.

[@walusitumbeko4051]

@@frostedhebrew3373 hmm

[@alejandrodiaz1348]

Dana a stand up guy he’s got a great chance I think he is spot on with his own judgement and he’s just tough on himself because he’s that confident in what hes capable of

[@alistairovereem9796]

Dan Hooker to win via Von Flue Choke in Round 1.

[@kingofthemountain4350]

Wow now looking back, this is just crazy, one fight taking up 2 months of isolation there and back. I would've blown my head off... crazy how devoted these fighters are, away from their family, kids, wives... Massive respect. All that just to put up a show for us fans, respect indeed. Now I get why Dustin was saying he hates the process of waiting, Fuk this pandemic really... such a sh*t situation for all of us. Not only the death rate going up but also just the amount of unnecessary time-wasting on isolation is taking away from us, smh...

[@GLOBAL-INTIFADA]

Man I hope Dan gets this W especially if it’s a ko

[@novascotian9287]

Hate to tell Dan but he didn't fight terribly against Dustin. He just got outworked.

[@rickybobby38]

he blew his load in that flurry against the cage at the end of round 2 and his striking output dropped way off from the beginning of round 3 onwards ... he knows that, and that along with his Homer Simpson defence is a big part of why his corner wasn't happy with him at the end of the fight.

[@michaelmccay123]

check out Luke Thomas's breakdown of the Poirier fight, Dustin's timing was what won it, not Hooker fighting poorly

[@joondagoon6774]

Can we get tony n Nate at 170? The time is now

[@JGFormentin]

Dana said they are looking at booking Nate at 155 but it’s not Tony so gotta assume it’s Gaethji. That fight would be brutal.

[@AB-hi6ru]

ty

[@westcoast8506]

If you think you’re the best then taking a fight with a lower ranked fighter why not take an “EASY” PAYDAY. I’m sick of people fighting 3-4 times a year then the get in the to 7 and never want to fight anyone lower.

[@crujones2849]

Problem is it becomes hard to focus & train properly when you don’t feel excited or nervous. So those “easy” fights become hard.

[@madhatterjones4781]

Can't wait to dan 2.0

[@benjaminrichard7741]

I keep rewatching Dan’s fight vs Dustin. I’m pretty sure that Dan won very onesidedly if it was a 3 rounder. Cheers!

[@kurstone04]

He dont wana bang with the Hangman.. lets go Dan! Aotearoa rep!

[@chumflex4496]

Wow. He took a 20 hour flight to fight island. Has to spend 5 weeks on the island before he can go home on another 20 hour trip back. Then quarantine for another 2 weeks. That’s crazy, these fighters endure so much just for our entertainment

[@galliali2108]

this dude is awesome.

[@piercegodbay5398]

Dan Hooker looking to avenge his loss to Porier through Conor 😂

[@FabricateFrog]

Well of Dustin Loses and Dan Wins they might hafta rematch one day lol

[@gunnar4554]

the man

[@wizardofO.Z.]

Hooker is overrrated af and will be exposed once again vs Chandler. He'll gas out by 3rd round if he even makes it that far.

[@ST-jy9no]

Overrated? He knocked Durinho out and put on FOTY contenders against 2 top 6 guys... Now he's fighting someone who's not even ranked... and trains in City Kickboxing with 2 champions. He def not overrated

[@wizardofO.Z.]

@@ST-jy9no well what about now?🤷🏻🤦🏻

[@ST-jy9no]

@@wizardofO.Z. All credits to chandler. He was the better man last night. Don't like chandler won bc hooker ain't all that

[@glenshort6567]

Crazy how the places in the US with the most strict rules have done the worst

[@J.CagleMMA]

Hooker is a tough night out for anyone. Hope he wins this one

[@mickeybilling6456]

didnt know dan was such a diaz fan.