Dustin Poirier defeated Dan Hooker by winning the numbers in UFC Vegas 4, Saturday (6/27).
Poirier defeated Hooker with an absolute victory. Three judges gave Poirier a win of 48-47, 48-47 and 48-46.
Despite winning absolute numbers, Poirier went through a tough road in this fight. Hooker successfully provides fierce resistance throughout the five rounds.
Poirier’s match against Hooker has been going on since the first round. The two fighters demonstrated an aggressive battle by attacking each other. Both Poirier and Hooker were both aggressively throwing blows and punching combinations.
During the first round of one minute, Poirier’s punch landed in the face of Hooker and Hooker quickly acted gripping Poirier so that he was not exposed to further attacks.
Entering the second round, Hooker successfully pressed Poirier at the start with a punch which was then followed by a knee strike.
Poirier tried to retaliate and successfully landed an elbow attack on Hooker. Blows continue to occur between the two fighters. Poirier tried to do a takedown but Hooker could anticipate it well.
Aggressive attacks made both fighters suffered injuries in the second round. Hooker’s right eye nose and temple are bleeding while Poirier’s wound is under the right eye.
In the remaining 30 seconds of the second round, Poirier was cornered by Hooker’s attack, including being hit by a knee attack. But Poirier survived because the second round bell rang.
Enter in the third round, the two fighters start the fight with a standing fight. The attack tempo was slower and then in the remaining three minutes, Poirier tried to release the neck lock on Hooker.
Hooker succeeded in getting out of the lock and replaced Poirier with a blow because of his position above.
In the remaining 40 seconds, the match resumed in a standing position until the third round ended.
In the fourth round, Hooker tried to grab Poirier from behind to launch the lock. But Poirier successfully separated from the lockdown.
The match in the fourth round took place more in the ground fight. The two fighters take turns in the dominant position. In the remaining two minutes, Poirier aggressively releases the punch and ends locking in the hand.
Poirier’s lock is not strong enough so that Hooker can escape the threat.
Poirier and Hooker tried to look for opportunities in the deciding round. The fight was fierce but until the fight ended, the two fighters were still standing successfully.
This victory is a sign of the rise of Poirier. Previously, Poirier lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov in the struggle for welterweight. At that time Poirier lost due to submission after being unable to survive the lockdown of Khabib.
Meanwhile Hooker previously won three consecutive wins namely by defeating James Vick, Al Iaquinta, and Paul Felder. The victory record was now stopped in the hands of Poirier.
