Dan Hooker bashes critics for undermining Israel Adesanya’s performance at UFC 276

Dan Hooker bashes critics for undermining Israel Adesanya’s performance at UFC 276

Dan hooker defends fellow teammate Israel Adesanya

Amid all the criticism against UFC Middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya for his performance at UFC 276, teammate Dan Hooker came to his defence. Adesanya took on Jared Cannonier in his title defence in the main event of UFC 276.

Adesanya who is still defeated in the Middleweight division was defending his UFC crown for the fifth time against Jared Cannonier. Although the champion defended his title successfully a lot of the media and fight fans weren’t happy with his performance. The fight was a lacklustre affair between the two with the champion playing it safe. He took the win via unanimous decision on the Judge’s score card.

https://youtu.be/b8Z2Ij4AV1Y

Amid all the criticism for his performance in the main event in Las Vegas this July. Fellow teammate and friend Dan Hooker came to the defence of the Middleweight champion. The Hangman is scheduled to fight Claudio Puelles at UFC 281. On the other hand, the ‘Last Stylebender‘ is scheduled to fight former Kickboxing rival Alex Pereira in the main event of the same card.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, The Hangman defended his friend for his performance in his last title defence. The Hangman explained why it’s the challenger’s duty to take risks and force the champion into a firefight.

Related: “To get under his skin” – Dan Hooker gives context to insane Israel Adesanya sparring footage ahead of UFC 276

Dan Hooker thinks it’s dumb to take unnecessary risks as a champion

Dan Hooker
The Hangman is booked against Claudio Puelles at UFC 281

During the interview with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour yesterday, Dan discussed his return to lightweight, his previous bout at featherweight, his recent skid in the UFC, and the criticism Israel got after his last fight at UFC 276. He also pointed out the risk of indulging in a firefight with the recent example of Welterweight champion Usman losing his title at UFC 278.

When asked about his take on the criticism thrown towards his teammate for his title defence at UFC 278. Dan stated, “It’s just dumb, It’s just not how the sports works like you’re the champion, the other guy wants the title, you’re clearly winning the fight.”

Also Read: “Return of the HANGMAN” – A Lightweight clash between Dan Hooker and Claudio Puelles added to the UFC 281 lineup

“But it’s not on you, you know what it’s not on you to push the fight like the other guy wants the title. You’re clearly winning and it’s not time to brawl when you’re clearly winning. If that guy takes risks and now the fight becomes very even, now Israel has to gonna bite down and fight, like these guys have to make him fight.” He added.

Hooker further gave the example of Usman losing the title last weekend at the hands of Leon Edwards by not playing it safe, “Look what happened to Usman, you know what I mean? A single mistake in this game and now you’re just turned into a meme, in one moment, he went from the best pound-for-pound fighter to a meme in like a moment.”

The Hangman further stated that it’s not on the champion to take the risk but on the challenger to take the risk and force the champion into a brawl. What are your thoughts on the Hangman’s defence of his teammate? Do you think a champion should play it safe and not engage in a firefight? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Israel Adesanya was a mixed bag of emotions after Leon Edwards’ brutal 5th Round KO of Kamaru Usman