Homegrown Kiwi UFC star Dan Hooker is laying the foundations for life after fighting.
'The Hangman' has opened the Combat Academy' in Ellerslie, Auckland, a state-of-the-art gym that includes a yoga room, training mats, a row of punching bags, a full-sized boxing ring and an octagon.
The 28-year-old is in the midst of the best run of his UFC career, finishing his last three opponents with two highlight-reel knockouts and a slick submission.
But despite the prospect of jumping into the lightweight division’s top tier with a win over Brazilian Gilbert Burns at UFC 226 next month, Hooker struggled to contain his excitement at the public opening of his academy on Saturday.
"It's pretty surreal," Hooker told Newshub.
"A lot of planning went in to pulling this day off, but it's pretty cool having all my family, friends and teammates here, and supporting something I have intended on doing for some time now."
For Hooker, his new business venture is about two things.
First - and as he stressed, most importantly - it's about giving back to sport that has dominated his life for a decade.
Secondly, it's about future proofing. Hooker is smart enough to realise that the life of a fighter is dictated by their success and in the roller coaster world of the UFC, your next fight could be your last.
"I feel like now is the time,” Hooker told Newshub. “I want to fight because I want to fight, not because I have to," "There are a lot of guys out there that fight because they have to.
"I choose to fight. My passion is to be UFC champion - that is my main focus - but teaching is what drives that passion.
"I understand the sport, you can't fight forever. I am having success now, but I know that can end at anytime with injuries and things like that.
"This could be taking away in a heartbeat. It would be foolish of me to not have some sort of backup plan."
Hooker's City Kickboxing teammate, Israel Adesanya, believes the Aucklander deserves credit for his vision, but doesn't believe he craves the accolades.
"I appreciate guys like Dan who do something like this without wanting the recognition," Adesanya told Newshub.
"He doesn't want the spotlight. He does this because he just wants to give back.
“It's like the rent you pay on earth, you know? You just have to give back to where you came from."
And giving back to young, wannabe UFC fighters is what motivates Hooker to be UFC champion.
"Teaching comes very easily to me,” he said. “It's something I really enjoy doing.
“This is something constructive that gives me more energy. This is more of an inspiration than a distraction.
"There is nothing like the passion that someone just starting out brings to the gym. It re-inspires you.
This is a step in the right direction for the whole industry.
"I feel like this sport can explode and grow so much more than it already has. This is the start of the industry growth, as well as the fighter growth in New Zealand."
As for his fight in Las Vegas on July 8, Hooker's plan is simple, but effective - to win.
"I am expecting a tough fight, but that's what I am in this sport for,” he said. “I want the hardest, toughest fight of my life.
“I want the best Gilbert Burns to show up that day and give me what I want."
A statement win for 'The Hangman' should see him land inside the division's top 15.
Newshub.
