Paul Felder and Dan Hooker brought the best out of each other while trading punches and kicks in a 25 minute battle in the UFC Auckland main event.
More than 200 significant strikes were landed over five rounds with Hooker winning a split decision in a razor-close fight. When the final horn sounded, Felder’s right eye was nearly closed and Hooker was sporting a severely swollen jaw.
Neither fighter appeared at the post-fight press conference because the lightweights were transported to a local hospital for treatment. That’s where Felder snapped a photo alongside Hooker with a caption reading “so … wanna race?”
Felder’s manager Brian Butler also shared a video of the Philadelphia native being wheeled into the ambulance that carried him to the hospital as he received a round of applause from the backstage crew working the event.
Following the heartbreaking loss, Felder hinted at retirement but he hasn’t made any official decisions.
For now he’ll likely reminisce with Hooker at the hospital about the absolute war they just had at UFC Auckland before he makes his way back home to the United States.