Nearly 10 months after a unilateral title loss in the sport’s toughest division, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier was willing to walk through hell to keep his place in line.
Poirier, in his first appearance since hip and labrum surgery, outplayed Dan Hooker in a 155-pound duel that was nothing short of wild theater. Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) took home a unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46) in a Bout of the Year contender who was a perfect showcase of technique, heart, and violence.
“It was difficult. Dan came to fight and he’s a tough guy,” said Poirier. “He is on the rise and he really thought it was going to happen to me and he talked a lot of crap like he was going to go ahead and fight the champion. But I put the job in and I trust my team and my work ethic.” I went in here and got one out and I have a few more rounds on me. “
The UFC Fight Night main event in Las Vegas saw Poirier, 31, survive a brutal Hooker assault (20-9) in the first two rounds that seemed to leave Poirier injured multiple times as they each exchanged your best shots.
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The first two rounds were not only instant classics within the UFC Apex facility, but it was the second round that already appears to be the best of the year. Both lightweights ended the round with faces covered in blood following a cut below Poirier’s right eye and an unpleasant one on Hooker’s right eyelid.
“The only time I got hurt in the fight was when Dan caught me against the fence and slipped one knee there [in Round 2]”Said Poirier.” It was quite impressive how high he raised his hips without telegraphing. I was like a flash for a second and he was throwing hooks at me, but we regrouped and came back stronger. “That is why a fight is not a fight until there is something to overcome and we return tonight.”
CBS Sports was with you all night giving you results and analysis of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas on Saturday, with the main card on the way at 8 pm ET.
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Card Hooker results
- Dustin Poirier def. Dan Hooker by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46)
- Mike Perry def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Maurice Greene def. Gian Villante via third round submission (arm triangle choke)
- Brendan Allen def. Kyle Daukaus by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
- Takashi Sato def. Jason Witt via first-round TKO (punches)
- Julian Erosa def. Sean Woodson via third-round submission (D’Arce choke)
- Khama Worthy defeated Luis Peña by third-round submission (guillotine choke)
- Tanner Boser def. Philipe Lins via first-round TKO (punches)
- Kay Hansen def. Jinh Yu Frey via third round submission (arm)
- Youssef Zalal def. Jordan Griffin by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
