UFC: Hangman wants to fight in Japan

Sydney-based Kiwi Robert Whittaker, left, heads for a win over Mike Rhodes during the UFC Fight Night at Vector Arena. Photo / Dean Purcell

Kiwi featherweight Dan Hooker sets a new goal after his first-round TKO win on debut in Saturday’s UFC.

Auckland's Dan Hooker has nominated himself to join Mark Hunt at UFC Fight Night 52 in Japan in September.

Kiwi heavyweight Hunt will headline the Japan card against American Roy Nelson and Hooker made a strong case during the weekend for another New Zealander to be added to the bill.

Hooker, known as "The Hangman", delivered a dose of elbows to England's Ian Entwistle to earn a first-round TKO win during the second bout of the evening at UFC Fight Night 43 at Vector Arena in Auckland on Saturday.

The 24-year-old featherweight, who took six weeks off his day job to prepare for his UFC debut, showed impressive composure in front of a enthusiastic home crowd of 8098 as Entwistle searched for his trademark foot and leg locks early on.

But Hooker's experience helped him pull through as he moved to a career record of 11-4 and asked for a fight at the Saitama Dome, near Tokyo, in less than three months.

"I want to get put on the Japan card," Hooker said.

Hooker's social media lobbying helped him get a spot in the Auckland show and he said he would apply the same tactic as he eyed Japan.

"Hangman for Japan," Hooker said. "When I get some [phone] credit, I'm going to top up and start that."

In Saturday night's main event, Kiwi middleweight James Te Huna had the crowd buzzing as he entered to a spirited haka followed by The Patea Maori Club's Poi E.

Chants of the hometown favourite's name erupted throughout the arena but American opponent Nate Marquardt (33-13-2) didn't let the occasion bother him as he blasted the 32-year-old with an early knee and eventually forced Te Huna (16-8) to submit via armbar late in the first round.

"James came in wanting to bang right away," Marquardt said. "There was no feeling-out process and I was ready for it."

Te Huna's future in the UFC is now unclear. He moved to middleweight for this bout after dropping his past two contests at light heavyweight. He has fights remaining on his contract but there are few guarantees in the UFC, although he may be given one more chance to prove himself as a middleweight.

Kiwi-born welterweight Robert Whittaker, now based in Sydney, got the main card under way nicely with a unanimous decision victory over American Mike Rhodes.

Despite people questioning the depth of the card before the event, there were several entertaining bouts. The fight of the night was the opening scrap between American light heavyweights Gian Villante and Sean O'Connell, which Villante won via split decision. Both fighters pocketed an extra US$50,000 ($57,000) for their efforts.

Marquardt took a US$50,000 performance bonus for his win, while featherweight Charles Oliveira's second-round submission victory over Japan's Hatsu Hioki - which marked the first time Hioki had been stopped in 37 career fights - saw him score the other performance bonus on offer. Tom Wright, UFC director of operations for Australia, Canada and NZ, declared the promotion's first visit to New Zealand a success.