New Zealand light-weight Dan Hooker has delivered a scathing critique of UFC athlete Colby Covington’s preventing fashion and self-presentation, highlighting the distinction in each fighters’ concepts of authenticity.
Dan Hooker holds Colby Covington’s fabricated picture within the mirror, questions value of dishonest
In a current interview, Hooker offered commentary that will get to the center of the continued debate within the combined martial arts world relating to genuine character versus calculated efficiency.
“Individuals generally hate me for who I’m, and I can stay with that. That is okay. Identical to I do not wish to be Colby Covington, the place individuals are simply afraid of not liking me for who I’m. I might quite be hated for who I’m than liked for one thing I am not.”
Covington’s transformation into the polarizing determine he’s recognized for right now didn’t come naturally. In December 2019, he revealed on conservative commentator Candice Owens’ platform that he knowledgeable administration earlier than his struggle towards Demian Maia at UFC Combat Evening 119 in Sao Paulo, Brazil that the UFC wouldn’t re-sign him. Covington, who confronted doable launch regardless of holding the No. 6 rating within the welterweight rankings, obtained simply $30,000 for the struggle, which equates to about $5,000 to $10,000 earlier than taxes and training charges. The UFC determined he wasn’t fascinating sufficient and his technical fashion didn’t generate the promotional curiosity they wanted.
After defeating Maia by unanimous determination, Covington gave an inflammatory speech after the match calling Brazilian followers “soiled animals” and calling Brazil “trash.” That provocative rant primarily saved his profession and remodeled his public profile from struggling candidate to headline-generating villain. The UFC’s response was significantly beneficiant, with government David Shaw saying solely that the scenario can be investigated by the group’s Code of Conduct Committee.
In line with his opponent that night time, Demian Maia, Covington was respectful of their pre-fight interactions and defined that his aggressive promotion was only a enterprise instrument. A number of fighters who shared coaching services with Covington have reported that he was reserved and soft-spoken in non-public, contradicting the bombastic character he displayed throughout struggle promotions and press occasions.
However there’s proof that sustaining this twin existence is beginning to turn into expensive. Former UFC light-weight Paul Felder appeared on the Imagine You Me podcast in March 2025 and gave perception into the struggle. Felder noticed that Covington’s persona gave the impression to be fading as he struggled to keep up the “MAGA, Mr. America, school bully” characterization that originally attracted consideration.
Felder pointed to situations during which Covington has been unusually quiet in particular person, together with a gathering with Kamaru Usman the place Covington was respectful quite than confrontational. Felder stated Covington stored up the act simply to remain related, and that the previous light-weight predicted that after he retired, Covington would admit that the complete setup was fabricated.
Michael “Venom” Web page voiced his opinion on Covington’s method after his UFC debut, calling him a faux and suggesting he was making an attempt too laborious to remain related. Web page criticized Covington’s actions in particularly focusing on his opponent’s members of the family and trying to cross strains that others thought of disrespectful, however Web page attributed this habits to an try to remain within the highlight quite than any true private beliefs.
Dan Hooker’s path ahead towards Arman Tsarukyan
Whereas Hooker has been vital of Covington’s method to his remedy of fighters’ personalities and the group, the New Zealand light-weight has extra urgent issues. Hooker, 35, is ranked No. 6 within the UFC’s light-weight division and is making ready for a struggle that would outline the second half of his profession. On November 22, 2025, he’ll face #1 ranked Arman Tsarukyan in the primary occasion of UFC Qatar.
Tsarukyan, a 29-year-old Armenian fighter who competes for American Prime Group, brings elite credentials to this struggle. He boasts an expert document of twenty-two wins and three losses, and his current momentum is exceptional. His final UFC look was in April 2024, when he defeated former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira by break up determination at UFC 300, positioning him for a title shot. Tsarukyan was scheduled to problem then-champion Islam Makhachev in January 2025, however withdrew because of a again damage and was changed within the bout by late substitute Renato Moicano.
Hooker arrives at UFC Qatar on a three-fight profitable streak and revitalized his standing at UFC Qatar. His most up-to-date win was a break up determination win over Mateusz Gamrot in August 2024. Earlier than that success, Hooker’s profession trajectory appeared shaky. He was sidelined because of damage and was scheduled to face Justin Gaethje in March of this 12 months, however was compelled to withdraw because of a hand damage.
The winner of the conflict between Tsarukyan and Hooker will doubtless be given the following alternative to problem Ilya Topria for the UFC light-weight title. For Hooker, this struggle is an opportunity to show his doubts flawed and transfer towards the title shot he has pursued all through his 10-year stint within the UFC. For the New Zealand fighter who has by no means shied away from voicing his opinion, whether or not it is criticizing organizational practices, criticizing different opponents’ dishonest or simply being himself, November 22 will likely be a possibility to again up his phrases with a efficiency.
