Just because you like a fighter's personality, doesn't make them a contender.

[Mack Yancy]

It's sad that this needs to be reiterated but the cult of personality among MMA fans is a thing. It's currently happeneing with Dan Hooker, because a lot of fans are on his side about this IV thing, there are attempts to change the narrative on his skills as a fighter. Dan Hooker is a glorified gatekeeper at best and always has been. No amount of social media quips will change that.

This also happened with Derrick Lewis and Anthony Smith, they say funny/likable/agreeable things outside of the cage, and you start to hypnotize yourself into thinking they are better fighters than they actually are. This is how you get people 'talking their way into title shots'. This is why Jorge Masvidal got TWO back-to-back title shots despite being an overhyped jobber. Keep what you like inside the cage and what you like outside the cage separate.

 

[Izzysexboyfriend]

Jorge earned his title shot. He had the greatest and most brutal 3 fight win streak we’ve ever seen. All top 10 guys

 

[rear naked ankle pick]

I like rockholds body and i wouldnt mind if he got title shot right now

 

[Chael_Sonnen]

I like rockholds body and i wouldnt mind if he got title shot right now

Stupid sexy Rockhold.

 

[loisestrad]

I like rockholds body and i wouldnt mind if he got title shot right now

I don't get this. Sure, his body is great, but it's really the face that does it for most people. Or rather the whole package.

 

[13Seconds]

Says who?

Give Walt Harris his damn titleshot

 

[Redando]

The UFC became WWE.
They don’t want to push the best fighters they waste years of fighters with real talent.
They keep pushing these cans.

 

[rear naked ankle pick]

Stupid sexy Rockhold.

I wish i was that surf board

 

[13Seconds]

There's nothing wrong with rooting for a fighter TS. Even if he/she isn't world class.

 

[Mack Yancy]

Jorge earned his title shot. He had the greatest and most brutal 3 fight win streak we’ve ever seen. All top 10 guys

He earned it alright

What did he do to earn the second title shot?

 

[Mack Yancy]

There's nothing wrong with rooting for a fighter TS. Even if he/she isn't world class.

You can root for whoever you want, root for Mike Jackson or CM Punk if it makes you feel warm inside, just don't start trying to re-write reality with skills and accomplishments they clearly don't have.

 

[Izzysexboyfriend]

He earned it alright

What did he do to earn the second title shot?

Considering his first shot was on 2 weeks notice they gave him another crack with a full camp

 

[Wonderfight]

Nobody thinks that Hooker is a contender, I am big fan and I don't think that. He has all the tools to be a better version of Dustin Poirier, but he is holding himself back and results speak for themselves, he didn't do what he could do, but that doesn't mean I think he is a contender. That goes for anyone out there.

 

[13Seconds]

You can root for whoever you want, root for Mike Jackson or CM Punk if it makes you feel warm inside, just don't start trying to re-write reality with skills and accomplishments they clearly don't have.

And when has that happened? What are you even talking about? In the OP you say it’s happening with Dan Hooker right now. What is happening? Are you seeing anyone clamoring for him to get a titleshot?

Actually YOU are the one re writing history. Masvidal absolutely deserved that first titleshot. The second one he did not, and alot of people in here hated it. Smith worked his way up through the ranks to get his shot, as did Lewis. If you weren't around atleast read wiki

 

[Mack Yancy]

He has all the tools to be a better version of Dustin Poirier, but he is holding himself back and results speak for themselves, he didn't do what he could do, but that doesn't mean I think he is a contender.

By that logic anyone could be champ as long as they 'believe in themselves' save that power of the heart captain america bullshit for Michael Chandler's instagram. Dan Hooker is where he is because he's an average fighter. This isn't Dragon Ball Z, you can't just claim that someone has 'hidden, unlocked potential' as fact. The results are his fight record, and his record speaks that he's a journeyman.

Deal with it.

 

[Wonderfight]

By that logic anyone could be champ as long as they 'believe in themselves' save that power of the heart captain america bullshit for Michael Chandler's instagram. Dan Hooker is where he is because he's an average fighter. This isn't Dragon Ball Z, you can't just claim that someone has 'hidden, unlocked potential' as fact. The results are his fight record, and his record speaks that he's a journeyman.

Deal with it.

The point is Dan Hooker is not an average fighter, it just shows that tools are not all there is. He is extremely better striker when watching out for reactions and using his range. Also he outwrestles guys like DP with ease. Imagine if he was not retarded inside the ring and actually used his IQ... Maybe he wouldn't beat Islam, but he would surely lose a lot less. Eye test is much more important than fighters W-L ratio. If you cannot understand that, then you never will.

 

[Jarvan]

It's sad that this needs to be reiterated but the cult of personality among MMA fans is a thing. It's currently happeneing with Dan Hooker, because a lot of fans are on his side about this IV thing, there are attempts to change the narrative on his skills as a fighter. Dan Hooker is a glorified gatekeeper at best and always has been. No amount of social media quips will change that.

This also happened with Derrick Lewis and Anthony Smith, they say funny/likable/agreeable things outside of the cage, and you start to hypnotize yourself into thinking they are better fighters than they actually are. This is how you get people 'talking their way into title shots'. This is why Jorge Masvidal got TWO back-to-back title shots despite being an overhyped jobber. Keep what you like inside the cage and what you like outside the cage separate.

It's 2023, and some people still think the UFC is fair

 

[Poirierfan]

It's sad that this needs to be reiterated but the cult of personality among MMA fans is a thing.

 

[Dog Gynecologist]

What did he do to earn the second title shot?

Headlining the 7th most buyed UFC PPV ever. The first one without McGregor.

 

[drbolony]

Wtf are you talking about TS? Are you just mad because Hooker has fans? I haven't heard anyone call Hooker a title threat, we all saw how he went head to head with Islam.