Dan Hooker gave the New Zealand crowd a reason to smile, scoring a split decision over Paul Felder Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 168.
The lightweight bout served as the main event from the Spark Arena in Auckland. The entire card streamed live on ESPN+.
Hooker, a 30-year-old from Auckland, earned his third consecutive win. He improved to 7-1 over his last eight, with the lone loss coming to Edson Barboza.
WOW! ?
?? THE HOMECOMING IS COMPLETE! #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/SUUHdM9NSo
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Jimmy Crute picked up a submission win, locking in a kimura on Michael Oleksiejczuk in the first round.
JIMMY BLEEPIN CRUTE!
?? @CruteJim earns his moment in NZ! #UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/zSdOIHKlsV
— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Yan Xiaonan knocked off former title contender Karolina Kowalkiewiciz, earning a convincing decision. All three scorecards read in favor of Xiaonan, 30-26.
3️⃣0️⃣-2️⃣6️⃣
3️⃣0️⃣-2️⃣6️⃣
3️⃣0️⃣-2️⃣6️⃣#UFCAuckland pic.twitter.com/Ho1UaGaV4p— UFC (@ufc) February 23, 2020
Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Brad Riddell each claimed wins on the main card.
Zubaira Tukhugov, Jalin Turner, Jake Matthews, Song Kenan, Kai Kara-France, Angela Hill and Priscila Cachoeira all were winners on the prelims.
The card, just the third to be held in Auckland and first since 2017, was hit hard by injuries. Five different bouts that were scheduled were pulled, including one after Maki Pitolo failed to make weight.
UFC Fight Night 168: Felder Vs. Hooker
Dan Hooker def. Paul Felder via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
Jimmy Crute def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission (kimura) at 3:29 of Round 1
Yan Xiaonan def. Karolina Kowalkiewicz via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima def. Ben Sosoli via TKO (strikes) at 1:28 of Round 1
Brad Riddell def. Magomed Mustafaev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Zubaira Tukhugov def. Kevin Aguilar via TKO (strikes) at 3:21 of Round 1
Jalin Turner def. Joshua Culibao via TKO (strikes) at 3:01 of Round 2
Jake Matthews def. Emil Weber Meek via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Song Kenan def. Callan Potter via KO (strikes) at 2:20 of Round 1
Kai Kara-France def. Tyson Nam via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angela Hill def. Loma Lookboonmee via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Priscila Cachoeira def. Shana Dobson via KO (strike) at :40 of Round 1