Ian Entwistle vs. Dan Hooker set for UFC New Zealand

27 yr old Ian Entwistle's signing was announced by Phuket Top Team earlier today, and he meets one of New Zealand's brightest prospects, 24 yr old Dan Hooker, in Auckland at UFC Fight Night 43.

http://themmacorner.com/2014/05/19/ufc-signs-dan-hooker-to-face-ian-entwistle-in-new-zealand/

 

At least there is a local fighting on the card, but I feel bad for New Zealand. Pretty scrubby debut card for them lol.

 

Phuket.

 

They originally wanted to do a card for the Philippines but the venue fell through. This is basically a fill in event for Fight Pass and one that lost it's main event (Schaub vs Hunt) too. Hopefully NZ proves to be a good crowd and they give NZ another shot regardless of ticket sales.

 

UFC is putting on 8 shows from June 28-August 2, gotta expect a little watering on a fight pass card during that stretch.

 

Couple of decent prospects, from his tweets Dan seems like a fun guy, also check out Entwistles diving heel hook in his last fight, crazy shit

 

Ohhhhhhhhhh FUCK YEAH!!

I train at the same gym as Dan Hooker. So stoked for him. He's been hassling Dana, Joe Silva, Sean Shelby and anyone that'll listen ever since the event was announced. So glad that it's paid off for him.

I have no idea who this other guy is, but if Dan has his way, it'll be an entertaining fight.

Hooker is the fucking man. He started as more of a ground specialist, but his striking has come a LONG way. Last year he entered a 1 night, 8 man kickboxing tourney called King of the Ring. He'd never had a proper kickboxing fight before in his life... He took it out, finishing every one of his opponents.

I also recently saw him stand toe to toe with the best HW kickboxer in NZ, Antz Nansen (who's won the HW equivalent of the kicboxing tourney that Hooker won). It was a tag team kickboxing fight at our gym as a fundraiser and it was fucking bananas. Hooker (a LW, don't forget), literally stood toe to toe with Antz, who's a fucking giant. Hooker took some heroic shots, right on the chin, but gave back as good as he got and actually made the HW tag out.

Man, this news has made my fuckin' week... Even though it has essentially nothing to do with me and I barely know the dude lol

 

Ian Entwistle highlights...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmlFktcwzug

 

Especially a last minute gimme card.

 

And Brandon Ropati still can't get the spot?

 

He hasn't fought for almost 2 years..

 

I managed to slip a paragraph on Ropati into the Herald on the weekend. Hopefully he gets a shot.

So stoked for Dan, know a few of his freidns and they've been talking him up for a long time. Glad to see him get what he's been working so hard for.

 

He says he is ready now.

 

^is he your boy?

 

Well shit then get him in there, he deserves it!!

 

No. Just checked his facebook.

 

The Philippines show didn't pan out? Damn!

 

This was my thought, too.
The usual 'sign a local guy to fight another debutant' fight to fill up the undercard. No idea who either guy is, hopefully they come to put on a show.

 

Entwistle by heel hook.

 

So many Lightweights...