After a 6-month layoff, New Zealand’s Dan Hooker is set to return to the Octagon.
The Hangman will take on James Vick at the upcoming UFC San Antonio card on July 21 (AEST). The news was first reported by the New Zealand Herald.
James Vick will be returning after back-to-back losses at the hands of Justin Gaethje and Paul Felder. Hooker has not fought since his brutal loss to Edson Barboza in December of last year. Hooker sustained a concussion in the fight as well as a broken orbital. The defeat ended Hooker’s four-fight winning streak.
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Despite the loss, Hooker showed a level of toughness and resilience beyond comprehension which earned him the admiration of fighters and fans alike. Hooker was forced to take an extended period of time off because of the injuries but insists he is now rearing to go.
“That was a shit performance,” Hooker told the New Zealand Herald.
“I’m not proud of that performance, but that’s not a fight I would take back.
“It’s just the fight game, man. This is something I’ve been doing for a very long time; it’s the way I’ve been making money for most of my adult life so this is not new to me. That’s not going to deter me one bit.”
