New Zealand mixed martial artist fighter Dan Hooker is juggling two jobs, training fighters in his new gym in Auckland all the while fighting the world's best UFC lightweight fighters inside the octagon.
Hooker has opened up his own gym, Combat Academy in Ellerslie.
"I feel like I'm in the game, ahead of the game and I can pass that on to my students," said Hooker.
The 28-year-old fights out of City Kickboxing gym in Auckland and is teammates with UFC middleweight Israel Adesanya and newly signed UFC flyweight contender Kai Kara-France.
"There (Combat Academy) I am the head coach, here (City Kickboxing) I am just another body on the mat.
"I am a student, I am always learning, always grinding."
He is currently on a four fight win streak in the UFC, defeating his last opponent Gilbert Burns in sensational fashion by knockout in the first round last month at UFC 226 in Las Vegas.
"I was straight back into training when I got back into Auckland so I am just looking to get another fight lined up," he said.
"I'm ranked now, so I'm number 14 in the world. So it's just like trying to pick a fight with one of those guys (top 10 lightweight fighters)."
Hooker hopes to get a shot at fighting on the UFC's Fight Night in Adelaide in December.
"It's notoriously difficult to get a ranked fighter to accept a fight with you and I'm finding out that the hard way.
"I think it's good to stay relevant and active in the sport as well as coaching."
Hooker has a record of 18 wins with seven losses in MMA.
He has won seven bouts either by submission or KO in the UFC with three unanimous decision losses.
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