Lightweight contender Dan Hooker won't be allowed to return to his home in New Zealand for the next six weeks after UFC 257. Hooker will co-headline the said event against newcomer Michael Chandler. It will take place at the Etihad Stadium on "Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 24.
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- The 30-year-old Hooker will need to remain in Abu Dhabi for a full month after the event. He will then spend another two weeks in quarantine upon returning to his home country. He's expected to be home by Mar. 3.
- New Zealand is one of the very few countries that was able to handle the COVID-19 pandemic with more success. It had zero cases from May to August and has a mere 77 active cases (2,222 in total) as of Jan. 11. Its death count is at a low 25 and hasn't risen since September.
- As Hooker told the media, life is now back to normal in his country. Events are being held with "20,000 to 30,000 people" in attendance.
- UFC middleweight champion and New Zealand resident Israel Adesanya proved this point. Here's a video he posted on New Year's day, showing himself amongst a large crowd at a party.
