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Michael Chandler punches Dan Hooker inside the Etihad Arena at UFC Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Kiwi lightweight Dan Hooker received a first-round TKO loss to newcomer Michael Chandler on Sunday at UFC 257 at ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi.
It was only the second TKO loss for Hooker, who was put on the back foot by a blow to the body, then turned left on the head that knocked him down.
If that was a shock, more followed when Irish superstar Conor McGregor was knocked to the ground by American Dustin Poirier, who had beaten Hooker in their previous fight.
Chandler went to kill from there, ending the fight quickly.
Aucklander Hooker, sixth in the lightweight category, removed his gloves in the ring, which commentators took as a sign that he had retired. No official news was received immediately.
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The end is near, when Michael Chandler hits Dan Hooker.
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Bellator’s three-time world champion (a UFC rival) Chandler had unranked status as a UFC newcomer, with Hooker a starting favorite.
Chandler was looking at an opportunity for prominent Irish showman McGregor, until Poirier traded him.
McGregor said the inactivity had cost him his edge.
“You don’t get away with being inactive in this business. This one is hard to swallow, ”he said.
Poirier unleashed a series of punches that McGregor defended well at first, only to eventually sink below wave after wave of attack.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
UFC fighter Dan Hooker.
