Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 26 event in Auckland, New Zealand.
While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.
Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 26 went with as their backing tracks in Auckland, New Zealand.
They posed next to each other on stretchers, too.
Not surprisingly, [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] both were transported an area hospital following the UFC on ESPN+ 26 main event. And they did so together.
After producing a grueling five-round battle in the lightweight headliner that ended with Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) winning a split decision over Felder (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), both men were in much need of being medically examined further. Before undergoing all their tests, though, the “Fight of the Night” winners posed for a classic hospital photo.
Here’s video of the two fighters leaving Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
Via Instagram:
Via Instagram:
There was no shortage of damage distributed in the 25-minute matchup. Felder had his eye compromised and nearly shut within the first seven minutes of the fight, while Hooker seemed to be dealing with a jaw issue in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Both men pushed through the pain, though, and made it to the final bell, where one judge saw it for Felder and two scored it for Hooker.
The build to the fight was filled with much tension, but after slugging it out in a memorable bout and taking photos together, it appears there’s nothing but respect between Hooker and Felder.
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Dan Hooker and Paul Felder took home hard-earned $50,000 bonuses for their well-contested bout.
Ten months from now, when “Fight of the Year” lists are compiled, [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]’s five-round thriller against[autotag] Paul Felder[/autotag] is likely to merit consideration.
But while the notion of where the fight might ultimately rate is up for conjecture, there’s little doubt Hooker’s split-decision victory was the best fight on Saturday night’s UFC on ESPN+ 26 card.
The UFC agreed, too, as it awarded Hooker and Felder “Fight of the Night” for the card at Spark Arena in Auckland New Zealand, meaning both fighters will go home with an extra $50,000 for their tremendous effort.
For Felder, the award marks the fifth postfight bonus in a UFC stint which dates back to 2014. For Hooker, who has also been with the company since 2014, it was his fourth.
“Performance of the Night” went to a pair of worthy competitors as well.
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[autotag]Jimmy Crute[/autotag] got the job done in the evening’s light heavyweight co-feature fight, using a Kimura to finish Michał Oleksiejczuk in the opening round of their bout. And [autotag]Priscila Cachoeira[/autotag] made a big statement that she belongs in the UFC. Cachoeira, who lost her first three bouts in the company, opened the card by knocking out Shana Dobson in 40 seconds.
They also take home $50,000 apiece in what was the first career bonus for both.
The UFC announced a sellout crowd of 10,025 paying a gate of $1,239,625 USD, both of which are Spark Arena records.
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Scores were all over the map aside from two of the five rounds in the slugfest.
If you had trouble scoring the thrilling UFC on ESPN+ 26 main event between [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] and [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag], well, you weren’t alone.
All three judges in Saturday’s lightweight bout scored the fight 48-47. Howard Hughes and David Lethaby gave the edge to Hooker, while Barry Foley had it for Felder.
From there, though, there was even more disagreement. All three judges had Round 1 for Hooker. All three had Round 4 for Felder.
But the remaining three rounds were split, including the climactic final round. Foley gave the last round to Felder, making the difference on his card. Hughes gave it to Hooker, spelling the difference on his card. Lethaby, who had each of the first three rounds for Hooker, gave the fifth to Felder.
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Check out the scorecard below:
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Paul Felder admitted “that might be it” for him after coming up short in a grueling five-round war.
[autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] was emotional in the wake of his loss to Dan Hooker at UFC on ESPN+ 26, and it remains to be seen what the future will hold for “The Irish Dragon.”
Felder suffered a split decision loss to Hooker in Saturday’s headliner at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. After the five-round war, Felder struggled to digest what could come next.
The lightweight contender also has a flourishing career as a UFC commentator and analyst, and that work has been something Felder has juggled alongside his fighting career. At 34, Felder has said many times that he would only continue to compete as long as he felt fighting for a UFC title was realistic.
It appears the setback against Hooker puts him in the situation of facing some hard questions.
“Man, I got a 4-year-old at home that misses me every time I go away like this,” Felder said, holding back tears during his octagon interview with Dan Hardy. “I don’t know. But congratulations to Dan. I knew this is exactly what I was in for when I came here to New Zealand. I pissed this guy off, and when you piss off a talented guy like Dan, he’s gonna bring it to you.
“Man, that was fun, brother. Five rounds going at it. I’m not sure (what’s next), you know. I’ll still go back, I’ll talk to my family, but it was an absolute honor to share the octagon for 25 minutes with this guy.”
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Although Felder came out on the losing end, a good contingent of viewers saw the fight in his favor, including one of the three judges. Public opinion doesn’t get Felder where he would’ve been with the official win, though, and now he’s left to figure things out.
“I knew it was close,” Felder said. “I feel like I hurt him a lot in the fight, but he got the takedowns, which is smart. He busted me up pretty good. That might be it for me.”
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The matchup between Dan Hooker and Paul Felder turned out to be everything we thought it could be.
[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] is a lanky lightweight who uses his range to maximum efficiency. [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] is a buzzsaw who likes to bite down on his mouthpiece, close the distance and throw down.
That’s what made the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 26 in Auckland, New Zealand, so intriguing on paper, and the fight delivered exactly what it promised.
For five grueling rounds, the duo put on a display that was equal parts skill and grit, as the duo pieced each other up.
In the end, Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who trains out of Auckland’s City Kickboxing, earned the hometown victory at Spark Arena via split decision. Hooker got the better end of two out of three 48-47 scorecards in a fight every bit as close as the scores indicate.
After the fight, Felder (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) indicated retirement might be in the cards.
“I knew it was close,” he said. “I feel like I hurt him a lot in the fight, but he got the takedowns, which is smart. He busted me up pretty good. That might be it for me.”
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The opening round saw Hooker, who had a four-inch reach advantage, utilize his range. He kept Felder at bay with front kicks and kicks to the lead leg. When Felder landed, however, he did so with authority, as he rocked Hooker with a pair of left hooks during the round, portending things to come.
By Round 2, Felder’s right eye was swollen shut, but he pressed forward. Hooker continued to play matador, continued to land kicks, and left Felder flustered.
In the third round, however, Felder managed to figure out how to close the distance and engage, even with one eye closed, and the fight’s momentum changed. Hooker never did have an answer for Felder’s powerful, well-placed lefts, and the damage started to add up.
In the fourth, the Rufousport standout continued to turn up the heat, and there was a sense Felder could win the fight after all. What had been a rowdy crowd at the fight’s outset grew nervous as the two exchanged, with Felder getting the best of things.
Both competitors went for the win in the fifth. What might have been the deciding moment came late, when Hooker parried a charging Felder and turned it into a takedown. Felder did his best to break free, but Hooker’s poise in the last-minute scrambles spelled the difference.
WOW! 👏
🇳🇿 THE HOMECOMING IS COMPLETE! #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/SUUHdM9NSo
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
In the overall fight stats (which can sometimes lack context, given that fights are scored round by round and not on the whole) Felder outlanded Hooker in significant strikes 133-119. Felder got the best of head strikes at 84-75, while Hooker landed 36 left strikes to Felder’s 28.
The victory was Hooker’s third in a row and seventh in eight fights since moving up from featherweight. He called for Justin Gaethje afterward. Felder, meanwhile, had a two-fight winning streak snapped. Both men were transported to a local hospital after the fight.
While there was high tension between both men in the buildup to the bout, Hooker was conciliatory after Felder hinted at retirement.
“An honor,” Hooker said of sharing the octagon with Felder. “He’s a tough son of a gun.”
Complete UFC on ESPN+ 26 results include:
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See the top Twitter reactions to Dan Hooker’s win over Paul Felder in the UFC on ESPN+ 26 main event.
[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] achieved his first main event victory on Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 26.
Hooker (20-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) defended home soil and upped his status as a lightweight contender with a split decision victory over Felder (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the event headliner, which took place at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, and streamed on ESPN+.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Hooker’s victory over Felder at UFC on ESPN+ 26.
* * * *
We're minutes away from the #UFCAuckland main event!
Who ya got between Paul Felder and Dan Hooker? pic.twitter.com/zlkxQqPyrH
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) February 23, 2020
Dan Hooker out to "Many Men" by 50 Cent.
Paul Felder out to "Space Oddity" by David Bowie and "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen. Interesting combo. #UFCAuckland
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 23, 2020
#UFConESPN+ 26 Main Event Closing Betting Odds:
Paul Felder +135
Dan Hooker -155#UFCAuckland 💵 Live -> @ESPN+ @BrendanFitzTV @dc_mma @DominickCruz @ufc #OnTheLine @MMAOddsBreaker https://t.co/A5yC5LD5z2— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) February 23, 2020
NO TOUCH. pic.twitter.com/RN0qTu7Cdf
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Paul @felderpaul look ready for whatever!! But @danthehangman IS whatever 😏🤜🏻🤛🏻 #UFCAuckland
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 23, 2020
Low kick from Hooker again, and another. Felder having trouble closing distance. Hooker just peppering low kicks. Felder feints a takedown to land an overhand. Body kick from Felder. #UFCAuckland
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) February 23, 2020
Hooker's disregard for Felder's left hook makes me nervous.
— esther lin 🏳️🌈 (@allelbows) February 23, 2020
That was a tight round, could go either way. Hooker's calf kick the most significant strike of the round, but Felder managed to close the distance a few times there. 10-9 Hooker
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 23, 2020
His eye, no! #UFCAuckland
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020
Dang, Paul Felder's right eye nearly swollen completely shut going into the second round in Auckland.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) February 23, 2020
Hardy being biased with commentary
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 23, 2020
'Fuck him up' chants??? Auckland, a place after my heart. #UFCAuckland
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) February 23, 2020
One eye swollen shut and coming up just short on everything you throw. I assume what Paul Felder's experiencing right now is what fighters see in their nightmares.
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) February 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/nobz_ufc/status/1231406061384429568
Looks like Felder's eye is slightly open. So might not be an issue after all.
I think I have it 19-19 after two, but that was another very close round.
— Nick Baldwin (@NickBaldwinMMA) February 23, 2020
We're trading early! 👊
📝 Scorecards after two? #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/gjZ8htKyJU
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Oooooh this is fun!
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) February 23, 2020
Felder has found his range as the fight has progressed. This is a war. #UFCAuckland
— Rob Tatum (@RobTatum303) February 23, 2020
Dan Hardy and John Gooden making it sound like Hooker is dominating Felder while this is actually a very close and competitive fight imo. #UFCAuckland
— MaRCeL DoRFF 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) February 23, 2020
Felder’s power leg kicks aren’t being thrown as often, but they seem to be adding up too. Very fun, very technical fight here.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) February 23, 2020
I got it 2-1 for hooker right now.
— E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) February 23, 2020
"I'll use my range to avoid everything except his left hand, which I'll let him land all night" is an interesting game plan
— Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) February 23, 2020
Hooker has ate some serious shots
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 23, 2020
Doesn’t matter who wins this Felder-Hooker fight, both these dudes are going to need some ice packs and Advil. The damage is just piling up.
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) February 23, 2020
Dan Hooker's jaw may be broken and this last 8 minutes is gonna be super dangerous for him as his mouth is wide open
— Jed Meshew II (@JedKMeshew) February 23, 2020
38-38 after four.
Winner takes all.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 23, 2020
THE FINAL ACT. #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/idgXag4PUP
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Hooker and Felder beating the shit out of each other in New Zealand. Brutal.
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) February 23, 2020
Felder needs to double up that right hand.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) February 23, 2020
I really hope Hooker doesn't get the round because of that takedown.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) February 23, 2020
What an incredible fight!! @felderpaul @danthehangman #UFCAuckland #UFCAukland
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) February 23, 2020
These two guys are giving everything they have. Absolute warriors.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) February 23, 2020
What a WAR!!!! #UFCAukland
— Niko Price (@Nikohybridprice) February 23, 2020
Amazing fight
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 23, 2020
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #UFCAuckland
— Megan Olivi (@MeganOlivi) February 23, 2020
Someone have the ambulance ready for Felder and Hooker’s ride to the hospital. Brutal five rounds for both guys. #UFCAuckland
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) February 23, 2020
Dans jaw 😱 #UFCAuckland
— Tatiana Suarez (@tatianaufc) February 23, 2020
48-47 felder that takedown did nothing
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) February 23, 2020
What a fight between to absolute warriors. Not sure how you can’t be a fan of either man after that one…
Felder has a good argument for some rounds but suspect that the judges will side with Hooker via 48-47. Let’s see… #UFCAuckland
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) February 23, 2020
What a great fight @felderpaul & Dan Hooker just had. They gave everything. Props to both 💪👏
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) February 23, 2020
WOW! 👏
🇳🇿 THE HOMECOMING IS COMPLETE! #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/SUUHdM9NSo
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
"That might be it for me. I've got a four year old at home who misses me every time I go away like this." – Paul Felder in his post-fight speech.
Felder has taken off a glove and may call it a day after an incredible battle.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) February 23, 2020
I think Felder.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 23, 2020
This decision is a joke 😁
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) February 23, 2020
Gaethje vs Hooker, anyone!? 🍿 #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/4IIGj6HFks
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Dan Hooker, through a potentially broken jaw, calls out Justin Gaethje. What a madman. #UFCAuckland
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) February 23, 2020
That was a close one!#UFCAuckland
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2020
Hooker vs Gaethje
me vs Conor
run it— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 23, 2020
Head up my man @felderpaul #UFCAukland great job @danthehangman
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) February 23, 2020
Thank you @felderpaul for the amazing fights always good to Watch you
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) February 23, 2020
How the fuck did they give him the 3rd round! Get these people the fuck outta here https://t.co/rfjkD2clJq
— Mike "Biggie" Rhodes (@TeamRocBiggie) February 23, 2020
Hooker vs gaethje sign me up!! That would be epic especially in Perth and set up the next Conor or title challenger! #ufc
— Ibrahim Kawa (@Abraham_kawa) February 23, 2020
Here’s how to watch the UFC fight tonight. Live stream UFC Fight Night 168 with Paul Felder vs Dan Hooker
UFC 168 features a fight to set up the top of the lightweight division when Paul Felder takes on Dan Hooker. You won’t want to miss any of this exciting battle and you’ll only be able to watch it on ESPN+.
Felder has won his last five of his last six fights, with two decision victories over James Vick and Edson Barboza being his latest. Hooker has won six of his last seven, ending five of them early with either knockouts or submission victories.
For both, a win could catapult them into the rotation for a title shot in the lightweight division. Undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to fight Tony Ferguson in April at UFC 249 — a fight Connor McGregor will be paying close attention to as his next shot at the title. But after those fights are settled, Felder and Hooker could be in the mix to face whoever is left standing with the belt.
You’ll only be able to watch UFC Fight Night 168 and other UFC events live on ESPN+, so sign up now!
Who: Paul Felder (17-4) vs. Dan Hooker (19-8)
When: Saturday, Feb. 22, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Spark Arena, Aukland, New Zealand
UFC live stream: Watch the UFC fight tonight on ESPN+.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
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Analyzing Paul Felder vs. Dan Hooker odds, picks and betting lines for UFC on ESPN+ 26
Paul Felder and Dan Hooker square off in a light heavyweight bout on the main card at UFC on ESPN+ 26 – also called UFC Fight Night 168 – at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand Saturday. The card kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Felder (17-4-0) will travel into hostile territory to take on the kiwi Hooker. The 34-year-old American, nicknamed ‘The Irish Dragon’, enters this bout with victories in five of the past six fights. That includes a split-decision win over Edson Barboza at UFC 242 on the Khabib-Poirier card. Felder lost just once in six fights since Sept. 24, 2016.
Hooker (20-8-0) will have the New Zealand crowd behind him, while also holding the reach and a slight height advantage. In addition, he has a 4.73 Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute advantage to 3.55 for Felder. He is slightly more accurate in landing those strikes at 44.15-43.02 percent. Toss in the fact that Hooker has a slight advantage in takedown accuracy, takedown average and submission average, and there is a lot to like about the Kiwi.
Want to bet on Fight Night 168? New customer offer: Risk free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions. Bet now!
Per BetMGM, Hooker (-167) is being backed by the people, and for good reason. He holds the advantages in all of the key statistics, and he’ll be fighting at home in front of a pro-Hooker crowd.
Take HOOKER (-167) to win on the 2-way line, and go with NO (-154) on the ‘Will the fight go the full five rounds?’ prop. I’ll be looking to pair Hooker with ZHANG WEILI (-176) on the UFC 248 card. If you have patience, and can wait to cash your ticket until March 7, Weili is going to blast Joanna Jedrzejczyk and is nice a toss-in for the parlay. We’ll preview that fight in early March.
New to sports betting? A $10 2-fighter parlay on Hooker (-162) and Weili (-176) would turn a profit of $15.07.
To watch the full card, sign up for ESPN+ now.
If you want some action on this MMA bout, place your wagers at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and analysis, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
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Like your ceremonial faceoffs to have a little bit of flavor? Paul Felder and Dan Hooker have you covered.
Like your ceremonial faceoffs to have a little bit of flavor? [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag] and [autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag] have you covered.
Felder (17-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) and Hooker (19-8 MMA, 9-4 UFC) faced off for one last time ahead of their UFC on ESPN+ 26 main event at today’s ceremonial weigh-ins at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The pair went nose-to-nose on the stage, a gesture that’s made in a traditional Maori greeting. However, there was certainly a touch of tension in the moment, as well.
Who leaves as a true contender? 🇳🇿 We settle it on ESPN+. #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/1xrq6bCTek
— UFC (@ufc) February 22, 2020
Afterward, Hooker spoke first in front of a supportive crowd.
“I’m going to close him like a chair,” Hooker said.
Then, it was Felder’s time on the microphone, and he went straight at the booing fans.
“You guys are supporting your boy,” Felder said. “I respect you, but I’m coming in here to shut you up tomorrow night, I promise you that, and taking this win back to the United States of America. That I promise you.”
UFC on ESPN+ 26 takes place Saturday (Sunday locally) at Spark Arena. The event streams on ESPN+.
