Daniel Hooker knocks Ross Pearson cold with brutal knee in hometown

The New Zealand crowd couldn’t have asked for anything better.

Daniel Hooker, its hometown boy, knocked out Ross Pearson with a standing knee at 3:02 of the second round Saturday night on the UFC Fight Night 110 main card in Auckland.

Pearson, a UFC vet, was having success against the younger Hooker in the lightweight contest. But when he dipped his head down during a combination, Hooker capitalized — and sent Pearson’s mouthpiece flying with a devastating knee. Pearson was out immediately.

It might not be Knockout of the Year, but it’ll likely be somewhere on the list.

Hooker (14-7) has alternated wins and losses in his UFC career since he debuted in 2014. This was by far his biggest victory. Hooker, 27, lost to Jason Knight last November in his last fight.

Pearson (19-14, 1 NC) has now lost four straight. This was the first time he’s been knocked out since 2014. Pearson, a 32-year-old Brit, has been in the UFC since he won The Ultimate Fighter 9 in 2009.