The final UFC Fight Night: Hooker vs Poirier at the Las Vegas UFC APEX takes place this weekend before heading out to Fight Island in the United Arab Emirates for the month of July. In the main event, former lightweight title challenger and number 3 ranked Dustin Poirier brings his heavy hands back to the Octagon against the surging number 5 ranked Dan Hooker.
These two are determined to be in the title picture and are certain to bring the fireworks. The co-main event will feature a welterweight contest between one of UFC’s most entertaining sluggers Mike Perry and burgeoning star Mickey Gall, a grappling ace. Perry’s knock out ratio versus Gall’s submission record makes this a true style versus style match up.
Dustin Poirier
Each of Dustin Poirier’s three fights before his unsuccessful attempt to defeat Khabib Nurmagomedov were electric, with “The Diamond” posting impressive victories over Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Max Holloway.
He’s been outstanding since returning to the lightweight division five years ago, fighting with the same power and ferocity that made him a contender in the featherweight division.
Speaking to the media ahead of his fight, Poirier said, “This guy is dangerous. This guy is a top opponent a top-five ranked fighter in the UFC for a reason. I don’t look past anybody. This guy is the only thing I’m focused on right now. 25 minutes with Hooker and we’ll see what happens. I don’t like the fact that fans and stuff are just passing him over because this is a dangerous guy I’ve been preparing very seriously for.”
Dan Hooker
Dan Hooker wasn’t the contender Poirier was during his time at featherweight, but the course he’s taken since moving back to the lightweight division is similar to the man he’ll face in this weekend’s main event.
After battling inconsistency during over his first six UFC appearances, the New Zealander moved up to the 155-pound weight class and has quickly emerged as a legitimate threat, amassing a 7-1 record that includes finishes of Jim Miller, Gilbert Burns, James Vick and hard-fought decision wins over Al Iaquinta and Paul Felder.
Speaking to the media ahead of his fight, Hooker said, “He’s definitely going to adjust his game a little bit, 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.”
UFC on ESPN 12: Poirier vs. Hooker Weigh-In Results:
Main Card
Lightweight: Dustin Poirier (156) vs. Dan Hooker (155.5)
Welterweight: Mike Perry (171) vs. Mickey Gall (170)
Middleweight: Brendan Allen (185.5) vs. Kyle Daukaus (185.5)
Heavyweight: Gian Villante (255) vs. Maurice Greene (255)
Catchweight (150 lbs): Sean Woodson (149) vs. Julian Erosa (149.5)
Preliminary card (ESPN)
Lightweight: Luis Peña (155) vs. Khama Worthy (154.5)
Heavyweight: Philipe Lins (234) vs. Tanner Boser (235)
Welterweight: Takashi Sato (170.5) vs. Jason Witt (171)
Featherweight: Jordan Griffin (145) vs. Youssef Zalal (145.5)
Women’s Strawweight: Kay Hansen (115.5) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (115.5)
Where to watch the fight?
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Hooker – LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on 28th June 2020, 5.30 am onwards, only on SONY TEN 2 and SONY TEN 3 channels
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