UFC stars Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker lash out in fury at world-famous footy team over their mate’s death in shocking attack
- Two MMA stars have hit out at the Tongan rugby team
- It comes after the death of MMA star Fau Vake in 2021
- A man has been discharged without conviction over his death
MMA stars Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker have both connected with the Tongan national rugby team on social media.
It comes after a man allegedly involved in a fight that led to the death of MMA star Fau Vake was discharged without conviction by a New Zealand court.
Tongan rugby team worker Semisie Pomale, 35, allegedly punched Vake, 25, during the incident which took place on May 16, 2021. New Zealand herald reported.
Pomale was charged with two counts of common assault. His co-defendants were charged with manslaughter with intent to injure.
The fight is said to have taken place in Auckland’s CBD at 2.45am. One of Pomale’s friends had punched Vake, causing him to fall to the ground.
The rising MMA star then hit his head on the pavement and suffered irreparable brain damage.
The strike has been described as a ‘coward’s punch’, with 30-year-old Daniel Havili being sentenced to prison for manslaughter.
Pomale was one of four suspects who pleaded guilty in the incident.
Former UFC world champion Israel Adesanya (left) has hit out at the Tongan rugby team after a man involved in an attack that led to the death of MMA fighter Fau Vake (right) was acquitted of charges
But he was acquitted after the judge took into account his remorse and his employment with the Tongan national rugby team.
Pomale was hired as the team’s deputy manager in April.
His lawyers had argued that his contract with the team involves travel around the world and that a criminal sanction could hamper his efforts to obtain a visa for countries Tonga is likely to travel to, such as the United States.
Tonga head coach Tevita Tu’ifua is also said to have issued an affidavit saying Pomale’s role includes work such as team management and logistics.
The affidavit adds that if he were to be restricted it would “have a significant impact on the team’s performance.”
It is understood the judge had mentioned his role with the rugby team in his decision.
But Adesanya and Hooker have both hit out on social media at the Rugby Union’s involvement in the matter.
‘Real? Tongan rugby…” Adesanya wrote on his Instagram, posting a photo with the headline: “Tongan rugby team hires man who participated in attack on MMA fighter Fau Vake.”
Adesanya continued: “Fau’s plans to represent Tonga on the world stage were permanently erased.
‘Can a store confirm or deny this… let me know.’
Hooker, meanwhile, went to X to speak out about the report.
“I love being a cage fighter and not a regular athlete, so I can voice my opinion on things that irritate me,” said the New Zealand MMA star.
Promising star Vake died in 2021 after suffering a seizure in Auckland’s CBD
UFC star Dan Hooker (pictured) wrote ‘these dogs need to crawl under a rock and die’ as he responded to news of Vake’s death trial
“These dogs should crawl under a rock and die.
He added, “Scum.”
Adesanya, who has a 24-4-0 record in the UFC, had joined Vake with members of the City Kickboxing gym after being hospitalized with the fatal brain injury.
Vake was on a ventilator for almost a week before he unfortunately died from his injuries.
“He says he was deeply shocked by what happened to Mr Vake,” Judge Peter Winter said.
“I consider him to be genuinely contrite.
‘I do not think he would have been aware of the likelihood of the incident developing to the extent that a blow was delivered by another person causing the victim to fall to the ground and sustain the fatal injury he sustained. ‘