UFC: Paul Felder says he ‘might be done’ as Dan Hooker edges five-round war in Auckland
- ‘The Hangman’ gets split decision on home soil with all three judges scoring the UFC Fight Night 168 main event 48-47
- Emotional Felder hints at retirement as Kiwi Hooker calls out Justin Gaethje
Dan Hooker edged a five-round war against Paul Felder via split decision on home soil at UFC Auckland on Sunday, and “The Irish Dragon” admitted it could be his last fight in the Octagon.
All three judges scored the fight 48-47, two for Hooker, who fell to the floor in an outburst of relief and elation when the decision was announced and Spark Arena erupted. Felder out struck Hooker 133 to 119 in a razor close fight but it was the Kiwi’s late takedown in the final minute of the fifth round which likely swung it.
“I have to defend this land no matter what the cost,” Hooker (20-8) told commentator Dan Hardy in his post-fight interview.
Hardy had to grab a word with his fellow UFC broadcast colleague Felder (17-5), whose face was battered and bloodied and who looked like he could barely stand, having had his lead leg chopped away at by Hooker, as is City Kick-boxing head coach Eugene Bareman’s style.
“I knew it was close,” Felder said. “I feel like I hurt him a lot but he got the takedowns, he busted me up pretty smart.”