Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dan Hooker will be looking for the finish against Dustin Poirier at UFC on ESPN 12.
Dan Hooker is preparing for the biggest fight of his career later this month where he will take on top-three lightweight contender and seasoned MMA veteran Dustin Poirier in the UFC on ESPN 12 main event.
Hooker last fought earlier this year against Paul Felder, where he picked up a split decision win in the UFC Fight Night 168 main event. That win, combined with his two prior victories over James Vick and Al Iaquinta, has Hooker oozing with confidence ahead of UFC on ESPN 12.
Hooker is confident in his ability to finish Poirier and, after having watched tape of both Felder and Poirier, believes ‘The Diamond’ has the lesser chin of the two men.
“That’s the thing — he’s definitely going to have to adjust his game a little bit,” Hooker told MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin in a recent interview. “I feel like pressuring me, taking a shot, giving it, taking a shot, giving a shot is just not the way to best approach it. I don’t feel like Dustin can take a shot as well as Paul Felder can. From watching the tape of both of those fighters, I don’t think Poirier has the chin Felder does.
“I feel I can put Dustin away. If I keep touching him, there’s no way that Dustin’s going to be able to eat those shots and be able to recover from the damage I’m generally able to inflict on opponents.”
Hooker believes a win over Poirier should put him in line for the next title shot against the winner of Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje.
“I definitely have the best resume for a title shot,” Hooker said. “Winning against Dustin Poirier, especially in a good fight. A good back and forth entertaining matchup or via knockout, I solidify myself with the next best resume.”
UFC on ESPN 12, which will feature Poirier vs. Hooker as the main event, takes place on June 27 at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada/