Dan Hooker fights in Las Vegas next Sunday. Photo / photosport.nz
By Daniel Richardson
The cost of being a fighter can be spending Christmas by yourself in a Las Vegas hotel room.
If that's not bad enough, Dan Hooker won't even be able to make the most of the local buffets, as he will be trying to shed some excess kilos.
The UFC lightweight will fly to the United States tonight ahead of one of the biggest bouts of his career.
Hooker (14-7) will meet Englishman Marc Diakiese (12-1) on the undercard of UFC 219 in Las Vegas next Sunday (NZT).
The Aucklander is coming off a highlight reel knockout of Ross Pearson (19-14, 1 NC) at UFC Fight Night 110 in Auckland in June, when he earned the second US$50,000 Performance of the Night bonus of his career.
Making the walk to the octagon on a big card in the fight capital of the world is a nice present, even if he will spend Christmas alone in the build-up as he cuts weight.
His team, including lead cornerman Eugene Bareman, arrive on Boxing Day, while his wife Isabella will go to Australia to see family.
"I'm not too bothered," Hooker told the Herald on Sunday. "I would rather my team and coaches spend Christmas with their families. I'm a big boy, I can look after myself."
Hooker, 27, said fighting in Las Vegas was a bucket-list moment but he vowed not to be overawed by the occasion, having attended a UFC card there previously.
"I know what to anticipate, I know the environment. It's not going to be a shock."
UFC 219 features women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg (18-1, 1 NC) defending her title against Holly Holm (11-3) in the main event.
With seven fights to his name in the toughest MMA promotion on the planet, Hooker has alternated wins and losses throughout his UFC career dating back to 2014.
All four of his wins have come via stoppage, while he has never been finished in his three losses, which is a testament to his durability.
He is rarely in a boring bout but if he wants to make waves in the stacked lightweight division, he will have to put together a winning streak. His win over Pearson was his first fight at lightweight after moving up from featherweight.
Diakiese has built an impressive record on promotions in England but doesn't boast many signature wins on his CV.
"He's good. I definitely respect him," Hooker said. "I'm sure he definitely respects me; there's a mutual respect there.
"He's a dangerous guy, plus he knows I'm also a dangerous guy. This fight is phenomenal match-making. These are the kind of fights I want and when you get a fight like this, you appreciate it."
As for his 2018 plans, Hooker hoped to find a dance partner for the historic UFC 221 card in Perth in February.
That event, the first UFC show in Western Australia, will be headlined by New Zealand-born middleweight world champion Robert Whittaker (19-4), who will defend his belt against Luke Rockhold (16-3).
Kiwi heavyweight Mark Hunt (13-11-1, 1 NC) will meet American Curtis Blaydes (9-1) on the Perth undercard.
The 37-year-old added a second straight victory over his English rival.