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A main event bout between lightweight contenders Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker is currently in the works for UFC’s upcoming event on June 27, per recent reports by Combate and MMA Junkie.
Remember, Poirier and Hooker were originally scheduled to meet at UFC Fight Night 175 earlier this month in San Diego before widespread COVID-19 restrictions forced the promotion to cancel the event entirely.
According to the report, the bout is expected to take place from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, but only if the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) lifts current COVID-19 restrictions later this month. Also, Hooker will need to get approval to travel from his home country of New Zealand. If any of those roadblocks remain in place prior to June 27 then UFC could opt to reschedule the main event for “Fight Island” in July.
Poirier, 31, is coming off a disappointing submission loss to current UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov back at UFC 242. The loss broke a four-fight win streak for “Diamond,” which included an interim lightweight title win over Max Holloway at UFC 236. A win over Hooker should set Poirier straight for the second half of 2020 and position him close to another shot at gold entering next year.
Hooker, 30, has been on an absolute tear since the start of 2017. The New Zealand native has produced a 7-1 record during that span with finishes over the likes of James Vick, Gilbert Burns, Jim Miller, and Marc Diakiese. “Hangman” was also able to lock down crucial wins over top contenders Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder. His only loss in the past three years came against Edson Barboza back in 2018. With a win over Poirier this June it will be hard to deny Hooker his spot atop the 155-pound division.
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