UFC analyst: 'Too much acceptance' in Dan Hooker embracing gatekeeper role
Daniel Cormier believes Dan Hooker entered UFC Fight Night 287 with the wrong mindset.
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier has criticized Dan Hooker for his mindset leading up to his recent loss. Cormier believes Hooker's mindset of embracing the role of a gatekeeper for the UFC's top 10 lightweights is problematic. Hooker, who is now on a three-fight losing streak, had entered the fight against debuting fighter Salahdine Parnasse with a positive outlook.
He expressed satisfaction about being in the gatekeeper role, stating that he was happy to play it and that he was more than willing to do so. However, Cormier questions the level of acceptance and comfort that Hooker displayed in this role. According to Cormier, fighters should never settle for being a gatekeeper and should always aim to stop their losses, rather than just accepting them.
The analyst believes that Hooker's acceptance of his gatekeeper role may have contributed to his poor performance in the fight. Cormier also points out that fighters like Kevin Holland, who never accepts the gatekeeper label, fight harder and never give up, even when facing defeat. He hopes to see a change in Hooker's attitude moving forward.
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