On June 27, 2020, MMA fans witnessed one of the greatest lightweight battles in UFC history when Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker stepped into the Octagon for an unforgettable war at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker. The fight, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, showcased heart, resilience, and world-class striking, leaving fans in awe and proving once again why the lightweight division is one of the most exciting in MMA.
Let’s break down this legendary fight, the lead-up, the aftermath, and what made it an instant classic.
The Road to the Fight: Poirier’s Redemption vs. Hooker’s Rise
Both Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker entered the fight with a lot at stake.
Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (25-6, 1 NC)
Poirier came into this fight seeking redemption. His last appearance in the Octagon was at UFC 242 in September 2019, where he lost via submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight title fight. That loss was a tough pill to swallow for Poirier, who had climbed to the top of the division after defeating some of the biggest names, including Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, and Max Holloway.
Despite that setback, Poirier remained one of the most dangerous contenders in the division. His combination of technical boxing, relentless pressure, and improved grappling made him a nightmare matchup for anyone. A victory over Hooker was crucial to his hopes of staying in the title picture.
Dan “The Hangman” Hooker (20-8)
Dan Hooker was riding a wave of momentum. The New Zealand fighter had won seven of his last eight fights and was looking to break into the elite ranks of the lightweight division. His recent victories over Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, and James Vick showcased his striking prowess, toughness, and ability to push through wars.
Hooker, a member of City Kickboxing (home to Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski), was determined to prove that he belonged among the division’s best. A win over Poirier would have catapulted him into title contention.
With both fighters having a reputation for exciting fights, fans knew they were in for a firefight.
Fight Night: An All-Out War
As soon as the cage doors closed, it was clear that this fight was going to be something special.
Round 1: A Tactical Start with Explosive Moments
The opening round was all about technical striking. Hooker used his length and reach advantage to land sharp jabs and body kicks, keeping Poirier at bay. The New Zealander’s game plan was clear—use volume and precision to break Poirier down early.
However, Poirier started finding his rhythm midway through the round, landing some crisp counter-punches and calf kicks. Hooker remained aggressive, throwing powerful knees in the clinch and using his elbows in close range.
By the end of the round, both men had landed solid shots, but Hooker seemed to have a slight edge in volume.
Round 2: Hooker’s Near Finish
The second round was pure chaos. Hooker turned up the pressure, landing powerful combinations, including a brutal knee to the body that momentarily hurt Poirier. The New Zealander kept pushing forward, throwing lightning-fast combinations to the head and body.
With 30 seconds left in the round, Hooker unleashed a flurry of punches, forcing Poirier to retreat. A perfectly timed uppercut followed by a barrage of strikes had Poirier in deep trouble. For a moment, it looked like the fight was about to be stopped.
But Poirier, showing his legendary durability, survived the onslaught. Despite being wobbled, he managed to stay composed and made it to the bell.
Hooker had clearly won the round, and the momentum was in his favor.
Round 3: The Turning Point
Despite taking a lot of damage, Poirier came out aggressive in the third round, showing why he is one of the most mentally tough fighters in the sport. He started landing heavy hooks, forcing Hooker to step back.
The fight then transitioned to grappling, where Poirier’s superior ground game came into play. He reversed Hooker’s takedown attempts and started working on submissions, including a deep guillotine choke that nearly ended the fight.
Hooker managed to escape but looked visibly tired. Poirier took advantage, landing sharp elbows and punches in the clinch. By the end of the round, it was clear that Poirier had shifted the momentum.
Round 4: Poirier’s Dominance
Going into the championship rounds, both fighters were exhausted, but Poirier seemed to have more left in the tank. He began outboxing Hooker, landing clean jab-cross combinations and targeting the body to wear Hooker down.
Hooker, now visibly slowing, tried to secure takedowns but Poirier defended brilliantly. The American even reversed one of Hooker’s attempts and landed significant ground-and-pound.
By the end of the round, Hooker was bloodied and breathing heavily, while Poirier still had enough energy to keep pushing forward.
Round 5: The Final Stand
The final round was a war of attrition. Hooker, despite being exhausted, refused to give up. He kept throwing strikes, but his punches had lost their power.
Poirier continued pressing forward, landing more boxing combinations and mixing in takedowns. The fight ended with Poirier on top, landing ground strikes as the clock expired.
After 25 minutes of non-stop action, both fighters collapsed against the cage, completely drained.
The Aftermath: A Fight for the Ages
Winner: Dustin Poirier (Unanimous Decision)
When the scorecards were read, Dustin Poirier was declared the winner by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-46). The fight was later awarded Fight of the Night honors, and many fans and analysts called it one of the greatest fights in UFC history.
Poirier’s Comeback
With this victory, Poirier re-established himself as a top contender in the lightweight division. His performance proved that he still belonged among the best, and he would go on to face Conor McGregor in a blockbuster rematch at UFC 257.
Hooker’s Respect Earned
Despite the loss, Hooker’s stock rose tremendously. His performance against Poirier showed that he was an elite-level lightweight, and he earned the respect of fans and fellow fighters. However, this fight took a toll on him, and he struggled to maintain the same form in his next few fights.
Why This Fight Was Special
1. Elite-Level Striking
Poirier and Hooker showcased some of the best boxing and kickboxing in MMA, with crisp combinations, body shots, and brutal elbows.
2. Heart and Durability
Both fighters endured immense damage, but neither backed down. Their ability to take punishment and keep fighting made this an instant classic.
3. Championship Rounds Grit
Fighting into the deep waters of rounds 4 and 5, Poirier’s superior cardio and experience in five-round fights proved to be the difference.
4. UFC’s Best Division
The lightweight division has always been stacked, and this fight proved why it is the most exciting division in MMA.
Conclusion: A Fight That Will Be Remembered Forever
UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker was a war that fans will never forget. It was a testament to grit, skill, and determination, showcasing everything great about MMA.
For Dustin Poirier, this was a defining moment in his career, proving that he still belonged at the top. For Dan Hooker, it was a hard-fought battle that cemented his reputation as one of the toughest warriors in the sport.
MMA fans will always look back at Poirier vs. Hooker as one of the greatest UFC fights of all time—a five-round war that reminded us why we love this sport.
