Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Duke Roufus is adamant about getting Paul Felder a rematch against Dan Hooker
Duke Roufus wasn’t happy about the results of UFC Auckland’s main event fight between Paul Felder and Dan Hooker. The veteran coach went on to claim that the judges’ split decision verdict in favor of Hooker cost his fighter $82,000.
From his end, at least, Roufus wants Felder and Hooker to run it back. With a date and venue in mind already, he already went straight to UFC president Dana White to make a request.
“I did text Dana White after the fight and I haven’t heard an answer back, but I asked him I said ‘let’s run this back how about Dublin, August 15,’” Roufus said said recently on the Luke Thomas Show (transcript by BJPenn.com). “That’d be a hell of a main event in Dublin on fight night out there. I think this one deserves a rematch.”
Roufus was completely satisfied with their preparations ahead of the Hooker fight. But given the disappointing result, he is more than willing to have the rematch.
“Five rounds is his jam. He actually made weight the easiest he’s ever made in his career,” Roufus said of Felder. “The fight game, it’s a love affair and like any other love affair, it breaks your heart sometimes. That one was a heartbreaker but what does not kill us makes us stronger, and we’ll be stronger.”
Felder did take home an extra $50,000 for the Fight of the Night bonus. He also spoke about possibly retiring after the disputed loss.