As light contender Dan Hooker prepares for his first approach on Saturday in the UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas against Dustin Poirier, fans of the American fight have been able to get to know the 30-year-old New Zealand product even better.
As it happens, Hooker (20-8), who won seven of his last eight inside the Octagon, has a way of describing the words of his opponents, which has surprised some who only know his fighting style. and youthful looks.
However, either predicting that he will crash into Poirier’s face inside the UFC Apex facility this weekend or predicting that a knockout this weekend will make Justin Gaethje “look like a bum” (considering that Poirier detained the current interim champion in 2018), Hooker has freely said his peace
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However, there was a random tweet last Saturday during the UFC card opening bout that ended in a controversy that put Hooker in some hot water.
After lightweight Max Rohskopf called for his loss to Austin Hubbard after Round 2 despite the pleas of coach Robert Drysdale urging him to continue, Hooker sent out a tweet, already deleted, which sparked anger from many of his fanatics.
“How do you get into the UFC without realizing you’re made of marshmallows,” Hooker tweeted.
When asked for an explanation Wednesday during an appearance on CBS Sports’ “State of Combat” podcast, Hooker could only laugh.
“The explanation? Aw, people were just making a big deal out of nowhere,” Hooker said. “Being called a marshmallow, if that hurts your feelings, then I’m not quite sure this is the sport for you.
“I got messages from other people saying, ‘I’m a big fan, but you’re a jerk, more or less.’ That translates to, ‘I like how you physically hurt people and inflict harm, but when you’re a little mean to someone. It just happens to me. “It’s funny to me. I don’t know why people get so mad. It is what it is.”
Hooker doesn’t necessarily consider himself good at talking bad because he said he believes everything he says.
“I’ve been real throughout my career. It’s just my honest opinion,” said Hooker. “I feel like I’m saying the same things and that I’m genuine with my character, but people are just paying more attention. That’s the only thing that has changed.
“I’m not trying to talk trash. I’m not trying to do anything. When I say something, I’m just sharing my intention. When I say to Dustin, ‘I’m going to smash your face in.’ How about that is a lie or something I made up. “I’m going to try to squash his face. That is my honest intention.”
