The life of a UFC fighter is not an easy one, and a worldwide pandemic only makes it that much harder.
Kiwi fighters have been forced to go without seeing their family for months on end, and no one is a better example of this than Dan "The Hangman" Hooker.
Hooker has had a busy fight schedule over the last two years, having 6 fights in total since the start of 2020.
His most recent bouts have not been favourable, but the level of competition has been incredibly high in every one of his recent fights. Whether it was Islam Makhachev at UFC 267, or Arnold Allen at UFC London this past weekend, Hooker is squaring up to some of the deadliest fighters in the game.
That kind of schedule is incredibly demanding both physically and mentally, but also emotionally. Living in a world of quarantines and self-isolation means that Hooker has had to go long periods of time without seeing his family.
But all that hard work and sacrafice pays off when you get home and get to be with your family, as Hooker showed in his most recent post to Instagram.
The video shows Hooker returning from his travels, only to be greeted by his adoring daughter running to his arms.
It may seem invasive to be allowed into such an intimate part of family life but we believe that this a poignant reminder of what matters most in life.
Even if that life is spent traveling the world dishing out and sometimes taking hidings, at the end of the day the things that matters most is whānau.
You're a legend Dan.
