Poirier Outlasts Hooker In FOTY Candidate

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Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker face off tonight (Sat. June 27, 2020) at UFC on ESPN 12 inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. In truth, recent UFC main events have not been amazing, even while the cards themselves have provided quality action. This bout promises a change in that trend, as both Poirier and Hooker can consistently be counted upon to provide excitement (watch highlights).

In addition, only one Lightweight was going to leave this bout an active member of the title mix, so there is a lot at stake for the two action fighters.

Round One

Hooker opens with a snap kick to the mid-section, and the two traded kicks afterward. Hooker sneaks a left hook through the guard. Hooker attacks the inside thigh, Poirier returns with a left. Jab connects for Hooker, who’s looking sharp early as Poirier finds his rhythm. Calf kick hurts the lead leg of Poirier briefly. Body-hook combination stings Poirier. Jab and low kick doing good work for the Kiwi. Poirier grabs double-underhooks in the clinch and tries to force a takedown, but Hooker escapes. Calf kick-jab combo scores again for Hooker. Big body kick connects for Poirier, so he does it again. Poirier connects with another body kick and a hard right hook. Hooker backs his foe into the fence, and both men land big shots. Hooker digs two to the mid-section. Poirier stings his foe with a sharp counter left.

Round Two

Hooker opens with a body kick and jab. Hooker doing real damage to the calf. Poirier lands a heavy overhand over the knee that stuns Hooker, but Hooker hurts him back with a two-piece combination! Poirier level-changes into takedown that fails, but he lands some heavy blows in the dirty boxing range. Hooker digs a few mean body shots, but Poirier blasts him with a heavy right. These two are wearing it eight minutes into the fight! Calf kick, two punch combination scores for Hooker. Heavy 1-2 scores for Hooker, who then eats an overhand. Another Poirier takedown attempt is stuffed. Good elbow from Poirier! Heavy body kick for Poirier. Big left hand connects for Hooker, who then targets the mid-section. Hookerp puts together like a seven-punch combination that stuns Poirier and sees him eat some hard body shots too. Poirier is hurt at the bell, as Hooker pours it on and nearly ends the show with a knee that just missed at the bell.

Round Three

Poirier digs first in the third with a ripping body kick. Hooker is the one advancing, but he has yet to score. Big 1-2 from Poirier. Sharp jab from the Louisiana-native. Body kick, 1-2 lands hard for Poirier, and Hooker looks a bit hurt. Hooker changes levels into a double leg that lands him directly into a guillotine! It looks brutally close, but Hooker escapes. Hooker is in guard, punching his foe occasionally. Poirier looking for a triangle, but it isn’t there yet. Poirier gets up to his feet, but he absorbs a knee. Poirier lands some real heavy shots from within the clinch. The two sting each other simultaneously with straight shots near the bell.

Round Four

Poirier landing jabs early. Body-head combination lands for Hooker, who eats another jab then returns the favor. More snappy jabs from Poirier, who then eats a body kick. Hooker scores a brief takedown and tries to take his foe’s back as he stands. Poirier escapes! Hooker lands another takedown into full guard, but he cannot hold his foe down. Poirier scores his first takedown of the fight. Poirier establishes top position and wraps up the wrist, Khabib-style! Poirier starting to land some heavy shots, but Hooker escapes the double-wrist ride. Poirier falls off the back mount and attacks an armbar! It looks deep, but Hooker is able to survive. Hooker finishes the transition in top position. Poirier jumps guillotine again, but it lands him on his back. Hooker finishes the round throwing punches from top position.

Round Five

Kicks from Hooker open the final round. Poirier lands a hard right over the top. The two trade punches that have lost some steam but still look painful. Snapping jab continues to land from Poirier. The two trade hard hooks. Poirier stuffs a takedown attempt. Two big power shots connect for Poirier. Hooker attacks a double leg along the fence and gets it! Poirier stands, giving up his back briefly before escaping. Poirier stuffs another shot. Hooker goes right back to it, driving his foe into the fence. Hooker lands a knee in the double-collar tie. Poirier stuns his foe and uses a guillotine to gain top position. He finishes the fight from there.
Final Result: Dustin Poirier defeats Dan Hooker via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46)

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